KUCHING: Two (2) of the three (3) confirmed cases of the siblings namely a six year-old girl and four-year-old boy from Kampung Paon, Sungai Rimu, Serian were pronounced dead at 1:43pm and 1:46 pm respectively yesterday, said Datuk Prof. Dr. Sim Kui Hian, the Minister of Watching Brief for Sarawak Health Department.
The two dead are Monica anak Mazlan and her younger brother, Jackson.
“They were diagnosed to be brain dead and the parents have agreed for the life support to be withdrawn. The other case is still ventilated and categorised as critically ill,” he said.
A relative at the ICU said the dog that bit the siblings belonged to the family and it (the dog) had been put down. They had no knowledge that the dog contracted rabies.
The remains of the siblings were brought to the morgue for a post mortem. Family members refused to talk to the press outside the morgue.
Dr. Sim added that a total of 11 health teams had continued to carry out Active Case Detection activities at the affected area in Serian.
As of yesterday 19 villages had been visited covering 2,098 doors/ houses and 6,094 people having been reviewed.
The ACD teams are also implementing health education activities related to rabies and its preventivemeasures to the residents of these villages.
From 1st April 2017 till yesterday, the cumulative number of dog bite cases detected in the outbreak area of Serian District stands at 68 cases.
Sarawak Health Department is advising every one especially all residents in Serian District especially the affected area with positive rabies case to take precautions to avoid from getting infected with the disease.
They are advised to stay away from wild animals to decrease the risk of getting bitten especially children. Secondly, if they are bitten by a dog, make sure the wound is washed thoroughly with plenty of water and soap immediately and go to clinic or hospital nearby as soon as possible for further management.
For any inquiries about rabies, the public can call Sarawak Health Department Hotline at 082-443248/082-441780 daily from 8am till 5pm.
