Kedah Records First Human Rabies Death Since 1998

ALOR SETAR, Sept 27– A 31-year-old man from Kubang Pasu has died of rabies, marking Kedah’s first human case of the viral disease in 28 years.

The Kedah State Health Department (JKN) confirmed that the victim passed away on Sunday after being bitten by a stray dog in August. Following the initial bite, the victim sought medical treatment at a healthcare facility but did not receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

The victim began experiencing fatigue, weakness, and numbness in his right arm on Sept 18. His condition deteriorated rapidly by Sept 22, displaying classic rabies symptoms including difficulty swallowing, hydrophobia, aerophobia, anxiety, and behavioral changes.

He sought medical attention again the following day and was immediately admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Clinical samples collected on Sept 24 tested positive for rabies two days later.

In response, Kedah JKN, the Kubang Pasu District Health Office, and the Kedah Veterinary Services Department launched immediate containment and prevention measures. These include active case detection, public health education, enhanced surveillance of animal-bite incidents, and stray animal risk control in the affected locality.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and local health authorities have initiated a comprehensive epidemiological investigation to trace the exact source and exposure route, reviewing the victim’s travel history, potential contacts, and timeline.

Control efforts are being reinforced through a “One Health” collaborative framework encompassing human exposure management, animal-bite monitoring, and dog population risk assessments in designated high-risk zones.

According to Kedah JKN, the state recorded 502 animal bite and scratch cases as of August 2026. Dogs accounted for 65.3 percent of these incidents, followed by cats (23.1 percent) and other animals (11.6 percent). Domestically owned pets made up 56.2 percent of the reported cases, while stray animals accounted for 43.8 percent.

Health authorities urged pet owners to ensure their dogs and cats receive anti-rabies vaccinations. Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal is advised to immediately wash the affected wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes before seeking medical evaluation at a clinic or hospital.

–NMT