(Kuching, 19th) According to the Sarawak State Health Department, a 29-year-old local man working at an oil palm plantation in Sibayah, Bintulu, died of rabies at Bintulu Hospital on the 12th of this month.
The department revealed that with this new case, the number of human rabies deaths in Sarawak so far this year has risen to five.
In a statement released today, it was stated that the patient began experiencing chest pain on the 8th of this month and was sent to Bintulu Hospital on the 10th. While hospitalized, the patient developed symptoms such as hydrophobia, aphasia, excessive salivation, and difficulty swallowing, and was confirmed dead on October 12.
According to the investigation, on September 17, the patient was bitten by a puppy while attempting to care for it near a warehouse at the plantation; the puppy had previously been bitten by another stray dog.
The statement also noted that the puppy died a few days later, and the patient also touched the puppy's corpse. Furthermore, after being bitten, the patient did not immediately go to a hospital or seek treatment for the wound.
The Sarawak Health Department pointed out that between January 1 and October 11 this year, there were a total of 16,295 reported animal bite cases in Sarawak, averaging 402 cases per week.
Of these, 10,021 cases (61.5%) involved cat bites or scratches; 6,078 cases (37.3%) involved dog bites; and 196 cases (1.2%) involved bites from other animals. In addition, 10,999 cases (67.5%) involved pets, while 5,296 cases (32.5%) involved stray animals.
"Of the five reported human cases of rabies in Sarawak this year, four had not sought medical attention after being bitten by dogs or cats at risk of rabies infection."
Therefore, the Sarawak Health Department reminds the public that rabies can be transmitted through bites, scratches, and contact with the saliva of infected mammals (especially dogs and cats).
Anyone who is bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately wash the wound or the area that came into contact with animal saliva (including from pets) or mucous membranes with running water and soap for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical attention at any government or private healthcare facility.
"Do not handle the corpse of abandoned animals or pets that have died of unknown causes. Please report to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) or local authorities (PBT) for further action."
In a statement released today, it was stated that the patient began experiencing chest pain on the 8th of this month and was sent to Bintulu Hospital on the 10th. While hospitalized, the patient developed symptoms such as hydrophobia, aphasia, excessive salivation, and difficulty swallowing, and was confirmed dead on October 12.
According to the investigation, on September 17, the patient was bitten by a puppy while attempting to care for it near a warehouse at the plantation; the puppy had previously been bitten by another stray dog.
The statement also noted that the puppy died a few days later, and the patient also touched the puppy's corpse. Furthermore, after being bitten, the patient did not immediately go to a hospital or seek treatment for the wound.
The Sarawak Health Department pointed out that between January 1 and October 11 this year, there were a total of 16,295 reported animal bite cases in Sarawak, averaging 402 cases per week.
Of these, 10,021 cases (61.5%) involved cat bites or scratches; 6,078 cases (37.3%) involved dog bites; and 196 cases (1.2%) involved bites from other animals. In addition, 10,999 cases (67.5%) involved pets, while 5,296 cases (32.5%) involved stray animals.
"Of the five reported human cases of rabies in Sarawak this year, four had not sought medical attention after being bitten by dogs or cats at risk of rabies infection."
Therefore, the Sarawak Health Department reminds the public that rabies can be transmitted through bites, scratches, and contact with the saliva of infected mammals (especially dogs and cats).
Anyone who is bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately wash the wound or the area that came into contact with animal saliva (including from pets) or mucous membranes with running water and soap for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical attention at any government or private healthcare facility.
"Do not handle the corpse of abandoned animals or pets that have died of unknown causes. Please report to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) or local authorities (PBT) for further action."
The Sarawak Health Department also reminds people to be responsible pet owners by ensuring that all pet dogs and cats receive their full rabies vaccinations annually and not allowing pets to wander unsupervised.
The department emphasized that rabies can be fatal, and pointed out that if proper post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is administered immediately after being bitten, the disease can be prevented.
Therefore, the public is urged to do their part to ensure the effective implementation of rabies prevention and control measures, protecting their own lives and those of their loved ones.
Therefore, the public is urged to do their part to ensure the effective implementation of rabies prevention and control measures, protecting their own lives and those of their loved ones.