THE rabies infected siblings in Sarawak today died within minutes of each other at the Sarawak General Hospital today after succumbing to the disease.

Local government minister Dr Sim Kui Hian said their parents had agreed to cut off life support when the children were diagnosed to be brain dead.

The six-year-old girl and her four-year-old brother from Kampung Paon, Sungai Rimu, passed away at 1.43pm and 1.46pm respectively.

A third rabies-infected patient, a seven-year-old girl, is still being ventilated and categorised as critically ill at the hospital’s intensive care unit, Dr Sim said in a statement today.

Dr Sim, who is on a watching brief for the Sarawak Health Department, said a total of 11 health teams continue to search out possible patients 19 villages in Serian

A total of 6,094 people from 2,098 homes were reviewed for rabies.

Since April 1, there was a total of 68 dog bite cases in Serian.

Sarawak today declared five villages in the Serian district as rabies-affected.

They are Kampung Kerait, Kampung Paon Rimu, Kampung Paun Rimu Bakung, Kampung Remun and Kampung Lebor.

The department advised parents to keep their children indoors and for pet dogs to be leashed.

“If you 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,” the department said in a statement today.

Public enquiries can be made through the Sarawak SHD Hotline at 082-443248/082-441780, available everyday from 8am till 5pm. – July 4, 2017.