Man dies of rabies in Kedah’s first human case in 28 years

The Kedah State Health Department has reported its first human rabies case since 1998, resulting in the death of a 31-year-old man from Kubang Pasu after a stray dog bite.

The victim did not receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis despite seeking initial medical treatment.

Following the incident, control measures have been implemented by relevant agencies, including comprehensive epidemiological investigations to identify the source of the infection.

The public is reminded of the importance of seeking immediate medical attention following an animal bite and ensuring pets are vaccinated against rabies.

ALOR SETAR, Sept 27 — The State Health Department (JKN) of Kedah has reported the state’s first human rabies case since 1998, involving a 31-year-old man from Kubang Pasu who died today after being bitten by a stray dog in August.

It said that the victim sought treatment at a healthcare facility after the incident but did not receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

“On September 18, the victim began experiencing fatigue, weakness and numbness in the right upper limb. The symptoms progressed to difficulty swallowing, hydrophobia, aerophobia, anxiety and behavioural changes on September 22, consistent with the clinical manifestations of rabies.

“The following day, the victim sought treatment again and was referred for further treatment before being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU),” it said in a statement today.

It said clinical samples taken on Sept 24 were confirmed by laboratory tests two days later to be positive for rabies.

“Following the confirmation, Kedah JKN, the Kubang Pasu District Health Office, the Kedah Veterinary Services Department and relevant agencies implemented control and prevention measures, including active case detection, health education, enhanced surveillance of animal-bite cases, risk assessment and control of stray animals in the affected area.

“As this is the first human rabies case reported in Kedah since 1998, the Ministry of Health (MOH), together with Kedah JKN and relevant agencies, is conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation to identify the source of infection and route of exposure,” it added.

The investigation includes examining the victim’s travel and exposure history, identifying contacts and risk factors, and analysing the timeline of events to determine the source and factors associated with the infection.

Kedah JKN said control measures were also being strengthened under the ‘One Health’ approach, involving human exposure management, surveillance of animal-bite cases and monitoring and risk assessment of dogs and other potentially exposed animals in high-risk areas.

It said that as of August 2026, a total of 502 animal bite and scratch cases had been reported in Kedah, with 65.3 per cent involving dogs, 23.1 per cent cats and 11.6 per cent other animals, adding that of these, 56.2 per cent involved domestic animals and 43.8 per cent stray animals.

It reminded the public that rabies can be transmitted through bites, scratches or exposure to the saliva of infected animals, and urged pet owners to ensure their dogs and cats receive anti-rabies vaccinations.

Kedah JKN also said that anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately wash the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention at a public or private healthcare facility for risk assessment and appropriate treatment. — Bernama

All Malaysian Indian Progressive Front seeks BN membership — and a shot at contesting Penang seats

Wisma Putra: Nepal weighs legal measures for those still unaccounted for after Aug 26 floods, including 55 Malaysians

RM1b resort, 700 jobs: Papar’s first five-star hotel due in 2027

吉打州卫生部门报告了自 1998 年以来的首例人类狂犬病病例，一名来自古邦巴素的 31 岁男子被流浪狗咬伤后死亡。

尽管受害者最初寻求了医疗救治，但并未接受狂犬病暴露后预防治疗。

事件发生后，相关部门已采取控制措施，包括开展全面的流行病学调查，以确定感染源。

提醒公众，被动物咬伤后应立即就医，并确保宠物接种狂犬病疫苗。

亚罗士打，9月27日讯——吉打州卫生局（JKN）报告了该州自1998年以来首例人类狂犬病病例，患者是一名来自古邦巴素的31岁男子，他于8月份被一只流浪狗咬伤，今天去世。

声明称，受害者在事件发生后前往医疗机构就诊，但并未接受狂犬病暴露后预防（PEP）。

“9月18日，受害者开始出现疲劳、虚弱和右上肢麻木的症状。9月22日，症状发展为吞咽困难、恐水症、恐气症、焦虑和行为改变，符合狂犬病的临床表现。

“第二天，受害者再次寻求治疗，并被转诊接受进一步治疗，之后被送入重症监护室（ICU）。”该机构今天在一份声明中表示。

声明称，9月24日采集的临床样本在两天后经实验室检测证实为狂犬病阳性。

“确认之后，吉打州卫生厅、古邦巴素县卫生局、吉打州兽医服务部门和相关机构实施了控制和预防措施，包括主动发现病例、健康教育、加强对动物咬伤病例的监测、风险评估以及控制受影响地区的流浪动物。

“由于这是吉打州自 1998 年以来报告的第一例人类狂犬病病例，卫生部正与吉打州卫生厅及相关机构一起进行全面的流行病学调查，以确定感染源和暴露途径。”声明补充道。

调查包括检查受害者的旅行和接触史，确定接触者和风险因素，并分析事件时间线，以确定感染源和相关因素。

吉打州卫生厅表示，他们也在“同一健康”方针下加强控制措施，包括人类暴露管理、动物咬伤病例监测以及对高风险地区的犬只和其他可能暴露的动物进行监测和风险评估。

报告称，截至2026年8月，吉打州共报告了502起动物咬伤和抓伤案件，其中65.3%涉及狗，23.1%涉及猫，11.6%涉及其他动物；此外，在这些案件中，56.2%涉及家畜，43.8%涉及流浪动物。

它提醒公众，狂犬病可以通过咬伤、抓伤或接触受感染动物的唾液传播，并敦促宠物主人确保他们的狗和猫接种狂犬病疫苗。

吉打州卫生厅也表示，任何被动物咬伤或抓伤的人都应立即用肥皂和流水清洗伤口至少15分钟，并前往公立或私立医疗机构就诊，进行风险评估和适当治疗。——马新社

全马来西亚印度人进步阵线寻求加入国阵，并希望有机会竞选槟城议席。

尼泊尔外交部：尼泊尔正考虑对8月26日洪灾后仍下落不明的人员采取法律措施，其中包括55名马来西亚人。

耗资10亿令吉的度假村，700个就业岗位：帕帕尔首家五星级酒店将于2027年开业。