Rabies Outbreak in Malaysia
1st October 2015
The Malaysia Department of Veterinary Services has reported an outbreak of rabies among dogs in three states in Northern Malaysia: Perlis, Penang and Kedah.
There have been 12 people reported to have been bitten by dogs but fortunately, none of them got infected with Rabies.
Singapore has been rabies free since 1953.
How do you get Rabies?
Most people get infected with Rabies via dog bites. The saliva of infected animals contains the Rabies virus.
Animals that are infected with rabies are usually very agitated and aggressive.
What are the symptoms of Rabies?
Symptoms take anywhere from 2 weeks to 12 weeks after the bite to develop.
If left untreated, Rabies is almost always fatal.
The common symptoms of Rabies include apprehension, headache, fever, malaise and numbness in the area that was bitten. Over days, this progresses to paralysis, paranoia, abnormal behaviour, hallucinations and delirium.
What can you do?
All animal bite or scratch wounds should be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap and water. Ideally, also clean the wound with Iodine.
See a doctor immediately. You can get the Rabies vaccine after you have been bitten and it will still work.
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/rabies-outbreak-in-perlis-kedah-and-penang
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-hopeful-of/2156216.html
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