A retrospective analysis of emerging rabies: a neglected tropical disease in Sarawak, Malaysia

Rabies, a neglected tropical disease (NTD), is a viral infection which is often fatal. Since 2017, a rabies epidemic has been declared in Sarawak, Malaysia. However, there is a lack of local epidemiological data and descriptions of local presentations of this disease.

This was a retrospective analysis of a series of rabies cases encountered in Sibu Hospital, Sarawak from March 2020 to February 2021.

Six cases of rabies were identified in this series, all with a mixture of upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron findings. Most cases did not seek medical attention upon dog bite and therefore effective post-exposure prophylaxis was not given. The incubation period varied from 17 days to 2 years. All cases died, with five cases succumbing to the illness within two weeks of symptom onset. The cumulative incidence for rabies in Sibu was estimated at 1.7 per 100,000 population.

The lack of public awareness of the implication of animal bites and the immediate management in rabies-endemic regions are factors contributing to high rabies mortality.