{
  "id": 10215693,
  "title": "Kedah catat 1 kematian kes rabies selepas 28 tahun",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/kedah-catat-1-kematian-kes-rabies-selepas-28-tahun",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T12:13:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/09/27/kedah-catat-1-kematian-kes-rabies-selepas-28-tahun"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kedah reports first human rabies death in 28 years\n\nJKN Kedah reported a human rabies fatality in Kubang Pasu district, marking the first such case in the state since 1998. The victim, a 31-year-old man, died on September 19 after being bitten by an unvaccinated stray dog in August. Despite receiving medical treatment at a health facility post-bite, the man did not receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies.\n\nSymptoms began developing on September 18, including weakness, paralysis of the right upper limb, hydrophobia, aerophobia, anxiety, and behavioral changes. On September 22, the patient experienced severe difficulty in swallowing, hydrophobia, and aerophobia, consistent with clinical manifestations of rabies. A clinical sample was collected on September 24, and laboratory test results confirmed the rabies diagnosis two days later.\n\nIn response to this first human rabies case in Kedah since 1998, the state Health Department, along with Kubang Pasu District Health Office, Kedah Veterinary Services Department, and relevant agencies, initiated control and prevention measures. These included active case notification, health education, surveillance of animal bites, risk assessment, and control actions against stray animals in the affected area. The investigation, focusing on the history of exposure and transmission, contact identification, risk factors, and temporal patterns, is ongoing to determine the source and route of infection.\n\nKedah Health Department emphasizes that rabies can be transmitted through bites, scratches, or contact with rabid animal saliva. They urge the public to get their pets vaccinated against rabies, avoid contact with stray animals, and refrain from taking in or caring for animals with unknown health status and rabies vaccination status. Immediate cleansing with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and prompt medical attention in a government or private healthcare facility are critical if bitten or scratched by an animal. Seeking timely medical evaluation and appropriate treatment after animal exposure is vital in preventing rabies.",
  "summary": "JKN Kedah berkata seorang lelaki berusia 31 tahun dari daerah Kubang Pasu yang mempunyai sejarah gigitan anjing meninggal dunia hari ini.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Kedah catat 1 kematian kes rabies selepas 28 tahun",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/kedah-catat-1-kematian-kes-rabies-selepas-28-tahun-10218130",
        "published": "2026-09-27T12:13:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Man dies of rabies in Kedah’s first human case in 28 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/man-dies-of-rabies-in-kedahs-first-human-case-in-28-years",
        "published": "2026-09-27T12:16:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Man dies in Kedah's first human rabies case since 1998",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/man-dies-in-kedahs-first-human-rabies-case-since-1998",
        "published": "2026-09-27T12:21:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}