Don’t catch or kill stray dogs, vet dept warns after Kedah rabies case

The Kedah veterinary services department has issued a warning to the public not to kill or catch stray dogs suspected of having rabies. Health division head Dr Ummi Sumilah Soraya Johar urged people to report such animals to authorities instead. This follows a recent case in Kubang Pasu where a 31-year-old man died after being bitten by a stray dog in August.

Dr Ummi emphasized that rabies can be transmitted by various mammals, not just dogs, including cats, bats, and cattle. Symptoms of rabies in animals may appear within a week to two weeks after infection, including excessive salivation and a change in behavior. Dog owners are advised to get their pets vaccinated against rabies if they haven't already.

Dr Tan Wei Leong, a Kedah public health medicine specialist, advised anyone bitten or scratched by an animal to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek immediate medical attention. He stressed that delaying treatment or underestimating small wounds could lead to fatal consequences, as rabies attacks the nervous system, including the brain, and is often fatal once symptoms appear.