Rabies: One death reported in Selangor

SHAH ALAM: A 40-year-old man who died at his house in the Petaling district on March 10 was diagnosed with rabies, says the Selangor Health Department.

Director Dr Sha'ari Ngadiman, in a statement on the department's official Facebook page, said this followed a post-mortem on the victim on Monday (April 4).

“His body was sent to Serdang Hospital for autopsy and the results of laboratory tests on brain specimens were found to be positive for the rabies virus," he said.

Dr Sha'ari said investigations on his movements were conducted and it was found that the victim was still walking around the residential area two days before he died.

"The cause of the infection is still under investigation. No symptoms and signs of rabies were reported in this case,” he said.

Dr Sha'ari said several prevention and control measures had been carried out in an integrated manner by state Health Department, the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) and the local authority in Petaling, including removing stray dogs off the streets since April 7.

“The captured animals were sent to the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI),” he said.

He said all public and private health facilities had also been alerted to increase awareness and early detection of cases involving dog or wild animal bites.

He added that the Shah Alam Hospital and Serdang Hospital had been appointed as referral hospitals for dog bite cases in the state.

“This is to enable risk assessment and wound category for rabies vaccination and rabies immunoglobulin treatment, if necessary," he said.

Dr Sha'ari also advised the public to always take preventive measures when bitten by dogs or wild animals, which is to immediately clean the wound and seek treatment.

"Immediately report to state DVS or the district Veterinary Services office if pet dogs change behaviour, including becoming aggressive, or to the local authority if there are dogs or wild animals roaming in residential areas,” he said. - Bernama