It has become extremely important to have your pets vaccinated against the rabies virus in Sarawak. File Photo
KUCHING: The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the rabies virus has claimed the life of an 80-year-old woman today after she was bitten by her own pet dog.
This makes the deceased the 16th victim to die since the rabies epidemic hit the state on July 1, 2017. Another victim, bringing the total number of confirmed rabies infections to 17, is currently comatose.
The victim, a resident of Kampung Sg. Du’uh, Siburan, passed away at 9.35am.
She was reportedly bitten on the left hand by her own pet dog last month when she tried to stop it from fighting with a cat.
The woman only used alcohol to clean the wound without getting further medical treatment. She then fell ill and was admitted to the nearest hospital, who then confirmed that she had contracted the dreaded virus.
Her dog had died the day after the initial incident. It reportedly had no history of vaccinations against rabies and was allowed to roam freely outdoors.
A total of 59 areas in Sarawak have been declared as rabies-infected areas.