ALOR SETAR: An area in Kubang Pasu previously affected by rabies is now free of the disease, says the Veterinary Services Department (DVS).
It was previously reported that a 31-year-old man died on Sept 27 after contracting rabies from a stray dog bite in August.
DVS director-general Datuk Dr Nor Hisham Mohd Haron said all 175 animal samples collected for analysis, including 169 from dogs and six from cats, tested negative for rabies.
"All samples collected from the surrounding area tested negative. Based on these results, we are confident there is no evidence of rabies transmission among the animals examined,” he said after the handover ceremony for the completed Madani Adopted Village and Madani Adopted School projects in Kampung Seberang Alor here on Monday (Oct 26).
He added that about 503 potentially at-risk animals, including stray dogs, stray cats and pet dogs, were identified during monitoring within a 10-kilometre radius of the incident site in Changlun.
Meanwhile, tests on the carcass of the dog suspected of biting the victim were inconclusive because it had been dead for some time and had decomposed.
Dr Nor Hisham said the operations room, opened on Sept 27, was closed on Oct 18 after sample analysis confirmed that the area remained free of rabies.
He added that DVS and the Health Ministry would strengthen cooperation to ensure animal bite cases treated at private clinics were promptly reported to the relevant authorities, enabling the animals to be quickly located, captured and isolated to reduce the risk of further transmission.
This includes continued regular monitoring, as the area is near the border and at risk of rabies carriers entering the country.
He also advised the public to report animal bites immediately and seek medical attention so authorities can take swift control measures. – Bernama
