The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) reported Thursday (computer translated) that there is one (1) new rabies case confirmed from Kampung Sebangkoi Baru, Simunjan District, Samarahan Division, Sarawak.
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This is the third case for 2018 and 9th since June 30, 2017. Eight of the cases were fatal while one was hospitalized, treated and discharged.
The most recent case is a 11-year-old boy, a student from one of the National Schools in Simunjan. The case starts showing signs and symptoms on April 18, 2018 as ill and weak on the right side of the arm and vomiting. On April 19, 2018, the case was brought by his parents to a private clinic and subsequently to Serian Hospital on the same day, where he had been diagnosed with ” Acute gastroenteritis“(AGE). However, while at the Serian Hospital, the situation is getting worse and on April 22, 2018, the case has suffered a seizure. The next day, the case was referred to the Sarawak General Hospital for further treatment. Clinical samples were sent to the Institute of Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur on May 2, 2018 and the results have been found to be positive for rabies virus infection. The case was getting worse and died on May 3, 2018 at 12.06 pm with the cause of death as Rabies encephalitis .
Everything you wanted to know about rabies
The case is suspected of having been exposed to dog bites or other rabies-infected animals through a wound on his recovered body. However, the discussions with the parents could not confirm whether the case has ever been bitten by dogs or other animals.
Up to May 2, 2018, there are 30 areas in five (5) Divisions in Sarawak, namely Serian (21), Sri Aman (1), Kuching (4), Samarahan (3) and Sarikei (1) by the State Government of Sarawak.
