KUCHING: The baby who passed away during a six-hour bus journey with his mother from Kuching to Sarikei earlier this month is believed to have died from sepsis and meningitis complications.
Sarawak Health Department director Dr Ooi Choo Huck said this was the likely cause of death based on interviews with the baby's parents, medical records and a physical examination of the body.
"In view of this, we advise the public to bring their babies or children to the nearest clinic or hospital immediately if they are unwell," he said in a statement on Monday (Dec 19).
Dr Ooi added that the final investigation report into the incident showed that the baby had died in the bus during the trip to Sarikei to seek traditional treatment.
The three-month-old infant's death on Dec 4 at the Jelukong bus stop in Sri Aman, about 208km from here, had gone viral on social media.
According to a statement issued by the department on Dec 9, the mother realised that the baby was not breathing when the bus stopped at Jelukong.
The infant was brought to Betong Hospital, about 28km away, and was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem was not carried out after discussions between the hospital management, police and family members.
The infant's body was brought home by the family members and buried at the Ulu Pakan cemetery in Sarikei.
