No Positive Rabies Case Detected In Kubang Pasu From 98 Animal Samples Taken

ALOR SETAR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- A total of 98 animal samples were collected for rabies detection as part of disease control and prevention operations in the Kubang Pasu district from Sept 27 until yesterday. 

Kedah Veterinary Services Department (JPV) director Dr Shaharul Akmar Talib said no positive rabies cases were detected from the samples collected during the period. 

He said the surveillance operation was carried out within a 10-kilometre radius of the outbreak site following the confirmation of a rabies case involving a 31-year-old man from Kubang Pasu who died on Sept 27. 

“A total of 235 stray dogs, 23 stray cats and 161 pet dogs have been monitored since the control and prevention operation began on Sept 27,” he said in a statement today. 

In a related development, 49 pet dogs belonging to 11 owners were vaccinated yesterday, bringing the cumulative number of owners who had their pets vaccinated to 138, involving 329 dogs during the period. 

Dr Shaharul Akmar said Kedah JPV also received reports of a dog-bite case involving a pet dog and two cat-bite cases yesterday. 

He said the department also received a complaint concerning the stray dog population yesterday, bringing the total number of complaints received since Sept 27 to 24. 

He also reminded the public to immediately report any incidents involving animal bites or scratches, as well as ensure that their pets are vaccinated and properly controlled. 

Previously, the Kedah Health Department confirmed a rabies case involving a 31-year-old man from Kubang Pasu who had a history of being bitten by a stray dog in August. 

The man began showing symptoms on Sept 18. A clinical sample was taken on Sept 24 and confirmed positive for rabies on Sept 26. He died on Sept 27. 

The case was the first rabies case involving humans reported in Kedah since the last case in Kuala Muda district in 1998. The last animal rabies case in the state occurred in 2018. 

-- BERNAMA