Another rabies outbreak area declared in Sarawak

A statement issued by the Secretariat for the Sarawak Disaster management Committee (JBNS), said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas today declared Kampung Kuala in Serian, as a rabies outbreak area following the case of a child who was confirmed with the rabies virus yesterday.

The latest addition brings to 19 the number of rabies outbreak areas in Serian , while three of the areas are in Kuching and one area in Sri Aman.

Yesterday, Health director-general Datuk Noor Hisham Abdullah announced that another positive case for the rabies virus was detected, involving a seven-year-old boy from Kampung Kuala, Serian.

The boy was bitten by a dog on July 17 and in currently in critical condition at the Sarawak General Hospital.

He is identified as the sixth human infected with rabies in Sarawak, with the previous five victims having died from the infection.

Following the latest case, the Sarawak Veterinary Service Department had sent two surveillance team to Kampung Kuala to investigate and conduct sampling.

More information on rabies outbreak and rabies vaccination operation can be obtained at the JPBN portal at www.infodisaster.sarawak.gov.my.