KUCHING: The State Health Department (JKNS) has confirmed two new human rabies cases that died on Sept 19, raising the state’s fatality rate to 92 per cent since 2017.
With these new cases, Sarawak has recorded a cumulative total of 87 human rabies infections, of which 80 have resulted in death.
JKNS said the first case involved a 22-year-old woman from Petra Jaya who developed fever, weakness, abdominal pain, sensitivity to light and noise, and difficulty swallowing on Sept 8.
“She was admitted to Sarawak General Hospital on Sept 14 and died on Sept 19. Investigations revealed she had been scratched by a stray cat in July but did not seek medical treatment,” it explained.
The second case involved a 67-year-old housewife from Taman Desa Wira, Batu Kawa. She began showing symptoms on Sept 13, including fever, nausea, loss of appetite, behavioural changes, and difficulty walking and drinking water.
She was admitted to SGH on Sept 16 and died on Sept 19.
“Investigations found that she had a history of being bitten by a stray dog on Aug 30.
“The patient kept four unvaccinated pets, one of which later showed rabies symptoms and died, with its carcass disposed of in a river,” it said.
Between Jan 1 and Sept 13 this year, Sarawak recorded 13,894 animal bite cases, averaging 375 per week. Of these, 8,297 (59.7 per cent) involved cats, 5,422 (39 per cent) dogs, and 175 (1.3 per cent) other animals.
A total of 9,392 cases (67.6 per cent) involved pets, while 4,502 (32.4 per cent) were caused by strays.
“This disease can spread through bites or scratches, as well as exposure to the saliva of rabies-infected mammals, especially dogs and cats,” the department said.
JKNS reminded the public that Sarawak is still not free from the rabies outbreak advised to remain vigilant and take the following preventive measures.
JKNS reminded the public that Sarawak is still not free from the rabies outbreak and urged people to remain vigilant by avoiding stray animals, immediately washing bite or scratch wounds with running water and soap for at least 15 minutes, and seeking treatment at Post-Bite Clinics.
The department also advised against handling carcasses of stray or pet animals that die from unknown causes, urged pet owners to vaccinate dogs and cats annually, and called on all parties to continue supporting prevention and control measures.
