Sarawak Records Another Rabies-Related Death

KUCHING, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Sarawak recorded another rabies related death among humans, bringing the cumulative case total to 91 cases, with 84 deaths since the epidemic was declared in July 2017.

The state health department said that the new death was recorded on Wednesday at the Sarawak General Hospital, involving a man, 44, who worked as a labourer and lived alone in Kota Samarahan.

“On Feb 15, the patient started having symptoms of difficulty in walking, lack of appetite, pain in his left knee, weak body and dizziness.

“On Feb 16, he was taken to the Sarawak Heart Centre in Samarahan before being refered to the Sarawak General Hospital on the same day. The case was admitted to the medical ward and his condition deteriorated and he was given breathing assistance on Feb 22,” the department said in a statement today.

Investigations revealed that the patient did not have any history of being bitten by dogs or cats and was someone who liked to feed stray dogs.

“He also took care of 15 dogs at home and one of the dogs died in early February and the remains were buried by his neighbour, while the 14 dogs have been isolated for observation,” it added.

-- BERNAMA