KUCHING: An 11-year-old boy infected with rabies was pronounced dead at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here at about noon today.
The boy’s death brings the number of fatalities from an outbreak of rabies which began in Serian in June last year to eight.
In a statement, Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the victim, who was from Kampung Sebangkoi Baru, Simunjan, succumbed to rabies encephalitis (acute inflammation of the brain).
“The victim started developing signs and symptoms (related to rabies), including weakness in his right hand and vomiting, on Apr 18.
“His parents brought him to a private clinic, which referred his case to the Serian Hospital the following day.
“The victim was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis, and his condition worsened despite receiving treatment at the hospital,” he said.
Dr Noor Hisham said the boy suffered a seizure about four days after he was admitted to the Serian Hospital. The following day, he was transferred to SGH, where tests revealed that he had rabies.
“We believe that the boy had (been bitten) by a dog, based on a wound, which had just healed, found on his body.
“His parents, however, cannot recall their son being been bitten by a dog or any other animal which (could have) infected him with the virus,” he added.
Dr Noor Hisham said Sarawak has recorded nine cases of human rabies contraction, with eight of them – including the latest victim – succumbing to the virus.
It is learnt that a 7-year-old boy who recovered from his rabies infection is in critical condition and on life support at his home in Kampung Kuala, Serian near here.