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Girl dies from rabies in Serian, Sarawak

Jul 17, 2017

A 5-year-old girl from Serian in Sarawak, has died from rabies. 

She passed away at about 2 this afternoon, after family members consented to her being taken off life-support. 

The girl is the fourth fatality of the viral outbreak there.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry also confirmed that a 6-year-old boy under observation for suspected rabies in Melaka, has tested negative for the virus. 

However, he will remain under observation, as the incubation period for rabies can be long, in some cases. 

This, as the Perak state government has declared the sub-district of Matang as a rabies infection area, effective today.

This, after two children in Kuala Sepetang were bitten by their rabid dog, which died several days later. 

The Perak Menteri Besar says although this is an isolated case, containment measures had to be taken to prevent the disease from spreading any further. 

Authorities are now conducting vaccination of all pets within a 1km radius, with pet owners not allowed to take their dogs out until further notice.