A man in Kedah has died from rabies after he was bitten by a stray dog, according to nst.com.my. The case is the state's first human rabies death since 1998, the outlet reported.
The victim was bitten while attempting to feed the stray dog, according to Gempak. Outbreak News Today also reported the death as Kedah's first human rabies case in decades.
Following the death, Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) tested 18 dogs in Changlun, Kedah, Malay Mail reported. The area has been identified as the centre of the rabies scare.
The veterinary department has warned the public not to catch or kill stray dogs in the wake of the case, according to Free Malaysia Today. The warning appears aimed at preventing further exposures and allowing authorities to manage the animal population safely.
Rabies is a viral disease typically transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, which makes post-exposure treatment time-critical. Malaysia had gone years without a reported human case in Kedah, making this death a notable development for public health authorities in the northern state.
The DVS testing of dogs in Changlun suggests officials are working to determine whether the virus is circulating among the local stray population. Results of those tests have not been reported in the material available.
What to watch next: whether the DVS confirms rabies in any of the 18 dogs tested and whether Kedah authorities expand vaccination or containment measures in Changlun.
