Kedah DVS tests 18 dogs for rabies following attack in Changlun

The Kedah Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has collected samples from 18 dogs for rabies testing following a stray dog attack on a 31-year-old man in Changlun, Kedah. The Kedah Health Department alerted the DVS about the incident on September 24, leading to a joint effort with the Kubang Pasu Municipal Council to capture stray dogs nearby and determine the extent of rabies risk.

Further investigations are ongoing, with results pending to confirm the presence of the rabies virus in Kedah's dog population. Changlun lies within a rabies buffer zone or immune belt, stretching 50km along the Thai border. Under the Animals Act 1953, all pet dogs in this zone must be vaccinated against rabies to prevent its spread to other areas.

As of August, 504 pet dogs in the Kubang Pasu district and 1,349 dogs statewide had been vaccinated. Surveillance programs across all districts tested 164 samples up to August, all of which tested negative for rabies. The DVS has advised the public to remain cautious against rabies, a fatal viral disease affecting the nervous system.

Infected animals may show signs of aggression, abnormal behavior, restlessness, isolation, unprovoked aggression, loss of coordination, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, paralysis, and ultimately death. The public is urged not to approach stray, sick, or unusually behaving dogs and should report sightings to the nearest Veterinary Services Office.

If bitten or scratched, individuals must wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes, seek immediate medical care, and report the incident to the DVS through various channels including the Kubang Pasu District Veterinary Services Field Operations Centre, State Operations Centre, or the DVS hotline.