rabies kills 31‑year‑old man in Kedah, first human case since 1998
A 31‑year‑old man from Kubang Pasu district died on 23 September after contracting rabies from a stray‑dog bite in August, the Kedah State Health Department (JKN) said.
Source: Harian Metro · mStar · September 28, 2026 at 12:32 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUBANG PASU, KEDAH, 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
A 31‑year‑old man from Kubang Pasu district died on 23 September after contracting rabies from a stray‑dog bite in August, the Kedah State Health Department (JKN) said.
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JKN confirmed the victim received initial wound care but was not given post‑exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies, a standard series of injections that can prevent the disease if administered promptly.
The man began showing fatigue, weakness and numbness in his right arm on 18 September, the department’s statement noted. His condition worsened to difficulty swallowing, hydrophobia, aerophobia, agitation and altered behaviour by 22 September, matching the classic clinical picture of rabies.
He was readmitted to hospital on 23 September, transferred to intensive care and a clinical sample taken on 24 September tested positive for rabies on 26 September, JKN said.
The case is the first human rabies infection reported in Kedah since 1998, according to the department.
JKN added that 502 animal bite or scratch incidents were recorded in the state up to August, 65.3 per cent involving dogs, 23.1 per cent cats and 11.6 per cent other animals. Of these, 56.2 per cent involved pets and 43.8 per cent involved stray animals.
In response, JKN Kedah, the Kubang Pasu District Health Office, the Kedah Veterinary Services Department (JPVK) and other agencies have launched active case‑finding, health‑education campaigns and strengthened surveillance of animal‑bite incidents.
The Ministry of Health, together with JKN Kedah and partner agencies, is conducting an epidemiological investigation to trace the source of infection, review the victim’s travel history, exposure details and contacts, and assess risk factors, the statement said.
JKN Kedah urged the public not to approach, touch or feed stray animals and to ensure that pet dogs and cats receive regular anti‑rabies vaccinations as advised by JPVK.
Health officials also reminded anyone bitten or scratched by an animal to wash the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek immediate medical assessment for risk evaluation and appropriate treatment.
The fatality underscores the importance of timely PEP administration, a gap highlighted by the case, and may prompt renewed focus on stray‑animal control and vaccination programmes across Malaysia.