Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rabies virus found for first time in goats in Sarawak Malaysia
By Wong, Kiing Aik et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2025·Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM)·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: First detection of rabies virus in encephalitic goats (Capra hircus) from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo: a case study report.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two goats in Malaysia showed signs of rabies, including weakness, excessive drooling, and stiffness, and sadly, both died shortly after becoming ill. They had been in contact with a domestic dog that also displayed symptoms of rabies but had not been vaccinated. Tests confirmed the presence of the rabies virus in the goats' brain tissues, indicating that the goats likely contracted the virus from the dog. This case highlights the importance of vaccinating pets and monitoring for rabies to protect both animals and people in the area.
People also search for: goat rabies symptoms · rabies in pets · dog vaccination importance · rabies transmission from dog to goat · rabies outbreak prevention
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Effective surveillance is essential for detecting rabies virus (RABV) spillover into non-canid mammalian species, which represents an emerging concern for public and veterinary health. This report describes the first documented cases of dog associated rabies in goats in Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia, highlighting the critical implications for veterinary and public health. CASE PRESENTATION: Two goats were reported to exhibit clinical signs consistent with rabies, including recumbency, hypersalivation, stiffness, dehydration, and episodes of pedalling movements and opisthotonos. Both animals experienced rapid clinical deterioration, leading to their death. The epidemiological investigation found that they had been in contact with a domestic dog displaying neurological signs consistent with rabies and no evidence of rabies vaccination. However, laboratory confirmation of RABV was not possible due to the advanced decomposition of the dog carcass. The rapid immunochromatographic diagnostic test (RIDT) and Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (DFAT) analyses confirmed the presence of RABV antigen in the brain tissues of both goats. Phylogenetic analysis of RABV sequences obtained from the brain tissue by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) revealed that the isolates were closely related to previous dog-associated RABV isolates from Sarawak. These findings support the diagnosis and suggest a likely transmission link to the suspected rabid dog present on the farm. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the critical need for enhanced rabies control strategies, including widespread vaccination of dogs and rigorous surveillance. The genetic similarity between the RABV detected in goats and those previously detected in dogs and cats in Sarawak suggests a persistent rabies transmission cycle in the region. As such, ongoing surveillance and preventive efforts remain essential to prevent outbreaks and protect both animal and human health.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41194146/