KUCHING: Sarawak recorded a total of 18 rabies cases, including 16 deaths from Jan 1 to Dec 13 this year.
State Health Department director Dr Ooi Choo Huck said that of these cases, five were from the Sibu region, four each from Serian and Kuching respectively, three cases from Bintulu, and two cases from Samarahan.
The latest case involved a 44-year-old woman who began showing symptoms on Nov 28, and passed away on Dec 12 in the Kuching region. Clinical samples confirmed that she was infected with rabies.
“This case had six pet cats that freely mingled with wild animals, and all these pet cats had never been vaccinated against rabies. One of the pet cats in this case died two months ago, and this case also suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure.
“This case denied a history of animal bites, but based on clinical observations, the case had old scratch marks and wounds, and was constantly licked by her pet cats. However, the case never received treatment or rabies vaccination at any health facility,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Ooi added that there was an increase in cases compared to only 14 cases for the same period in 2022, an increase of four cases or 28.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, the cumulative cases of rabies among humans in Sarawak reported since the outbreak was declared in July 2017 until now are a total of 73 cases with 66 deaths.
Following the increase in rabies cases among humans and animals, including dogs and cats in Sarawak, Dr Ooi advised the public to ensure that their pet dogs and cats are vaccinated yearly.
He advised the public to promptly seek treatment after being bitten or scratched or exposed to saliva on the mucous membranes and skin with wounds or inflammation, including their own pets.
He said anti-rabies vaccines are available at 130 post-bite clinics in public health facilities and 29 private facilities throughout Sarawak. There are also 11 hospitals that provide rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) injections to high-risk cases.
