Suspected Rabies Patient Dies

Padang (Antara Bali) - Kaman, an 85-year-old suspected rabies patient from Tiku village in Agam district, West Sumatra, died at M Djamil Hospital in Padang on Friday, hospital spokesman Gustavianof said.

"The patient was admitted to the hospital at 11 p.m. on Thursday and died at 8.30 on Friday morning, but we have yet to decide whether he was rabies-positive," Gustavianof stated.

He said Kaman died moments after he was removed from the hospital's isolation room to Padma room.

According to Gustavianof, the patient was first admitted to a hospital in Agam district after being bitten by a dog and was later transferred to M Djamil Hospital in Padang.

"The patient was in a critical condition when he arrived here last night," he explained.

Gustavianof said that, based on the information from the patient's family, Kaman was bitten by a dog a few days ago but he did not immediately go to a nearby clinic to get anti-rabies injection.(IGT/T007)