Man dies of rabies in Kedah's first human case since 1998
A 31-year-old man in Kedah, Malaysia, has died from rabies following a stray dog bite, marking the state's first human case since 1998. The victim did not receive post-exposure prophylaxis, prompting health authorities to launch comprehensive control measures and epidemiological investigations.
Why it matters
The re-emergence of rabies after decades in a region highlights public health risks, the necessity of post-exposure treatment, and animal control surveillance.
ALOR SETAR: A 31-year-old man who died on Sunday (Sept 27) after being bitten by a stray dog in August was Kedah’s first human rabies case since 1998, reports the state Health Department.
It said that the victim from Kubang Pasu sought treatment at a healthcare facility after the incident but did not receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
"On Sept 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 last Tuesday, 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 on Sunday.
It said clinical samples taken last Thursday were confirmed by laboratory tests two days later to be positive for rabies.
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