PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry (MOH) confirmed that the actual cause of death of a four-year-old boy from Samarahan, Sarawak, who died on Oct 8, is still under investigation.
In a statement on Saturday, the ministry extended its condolences to the family and said that preliminary findings indicated the child had been suffering from high fever since Oct 5 before seeking treatment at a private clinic the next day.
“On the way home from the clinic, the patient experienced a seizure and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.
“Due to his critical condition, he was admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Sarawak General Hospital,” MOH said.
Despite medical intervention, the child was pronounced dead two days later, with initial investigations revealing encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, as the cause of death possibly linked to various viruses.
“Laboratory tests have been conducted, and one of the results came back positive for Influenza A.
“However, the exact cause of death is still being investigated by the Sarawak State Health Department,” the statement added.
MOH reminded the public to stay vigilant against influenza infections, especially during the current rise in cases.
“Generally, influenza can recover without specific treatment. However, those experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, or fatigue are advised to seek immediate medical attention, especially children and high-risk groups,” it said.
The ministry also urged the public to practise good hygiene by washing hands regularly, wearing face masks when symptomatic, avoiding crowded places, and following proper cough etiquette to prevent the spread of infections.
MOH said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary measures to curb the spread of influenza while reminding Malaysians to stay vigilant about their health and practise preventive measures to protect themselves and their families.
