KUCHING: Two young siblings infected by rabies following an outbreak at Kampung Paon, Sungai Rimu, Serian, passed away within minutes of each other today.
The chidren, a four-year-old boy and his six-year-old sister, died at 1.43pm and 1.46 PM respectively, at the Sarawak General Hospital.
This was confirmed by State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who said the siblings were among three confirmed cases reported in the state last week.
"They were diagnosed to be brain dead. The parents agreed for the life support system to be withdrawn," he said in a statement.
Another rabies victim, a seven-year-old girl, is still ventilated and categorised as critically ill at the hospital's intensive care unit.
Dr Sim, who is on a watching brief for the state Health Department, said a total of 11 health teams are currently carrying out Active Case Detection activities at the affected area in Serian.
As of today, 19 villages have been visited, with 2,098 homes and 6,094 people reviewed.
Meanwhile, from April 1, to date, the cumulative number of dog bite cases detected in the outbreak area of Serian District now stands at 68 cases.
The Sarawak government earlier today declared five villages in the Serian district as rabies-affected areas.
The five villages are Kampung Kerait, Kampung Paon Rimu, Kampung Paun Rimu Bakung, Kampung Remun and Kampung Lebor.