A total of 92 new cases of animal bites were reported today, comprising 42 in Serian Division, three in Sri Aman, 35 in Kuching and 12 in Samarahan.

According to the Sarawak Health Department, of the total, 84 involved domestic pets (dogs and cats) while eight others involved wild animals (dogs, cats and rat).

"This brings the cumulative number of animal bite cases since April 1 to today to 2,062," he said in a statement here.

So far, the total number of people who have been vaccinated against rabies is 882.

To date, the rabies epidemic had claimed five lives in Sarawak, four of whom were children, and one adult.

Another victim, a seven-year-old child from Kampung Kuala, Gedong, in Samarahan Division, is in critical condition at the Sarawak General Hospital.

-- BERNAMA