Two rabies-infected children die

Two of the three rabies-infected children in Sarawak died today, said Sarawak Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said the six-year-old girl and four-year-old boy, both siblings, from Kampung Paon, Sungai Rimu, Serian, died at 1.43 pm and 1.46 pm, respectively, at the Sarawak General Hospital here.

“They were diagnosed to be brain dead and the parents agreed for the life support to be withdrawn,” said Dr Sim, who is also the minister holding a watching brief for the Sarawak Health Department.

He said the third victim, a seven-year-old girl, was still ventilated and categorised as critically ill.

Dr Sim also said that 11 health teams continued to engage in the detection of rabies cases in the affected areas in Serian.

As of today, they had visited 19 villages and covered 2,098 doors/houses and checked 6,094 people, he said.

These active case detection (ACD) teams were also carrying out health education related to rabies and preventive measures for the residents of these villages, he added.

Sim said that from April 1 to July 4 this year, the cumulative number of dog bite cases detected in the outbreak area of Serian district stood at 68.

The Sarawak Health Department (SHD), meanwhile, advised all residents in the Serian district, especially the affected area with positive rabies cases, to take precautions to avoid getting infected.

“They, especially children, must stay away from stray animals to decrease the risk of getting bitten,” it said in a statement.

If one is bitten by a dog, one must make sure that the wound is washed thoroughly with plenty of water and immediately go to a nearby clinic or hospital.

For any enquiries about rabies, members of the public can call the SHD Hotline at 082-443248/082-441780 between 8 am and 5 pm daily.

-- BERNAMA