News24 | KZN man dies from rabies two months after bite from his dog

To combat rabies, the eThekwini metro has adopted the “One Health approach”, which has resulted in the vaccination of 385 domestic animals – 372 dogs and 13 cats – in eZimbokodweni.

• A 32-year-old man from eZimbokodweni in KwaZulu-Natal succumbed to rabies two months after being bitten by his unvaccinated dog.
• The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality revealed he delayed seeking medical attention, which allowed the virus to spread.
• Vaccination campaigns and public education efforts are being ramped up in the City to eliminate rabies in high-risk areas by 2030.

A 32-year-old man from eZimbokodweni in KwaZulu-Natal died after contracting rabies following a bite from his unvaccinated dog.

According to the eThekwini metro, the man was bitten in March but did not immediately seek medical attention.

The dog, later exhibiting signs of rabies such as unusual aggression and behavioural changes, was investigated by the City’s communicable diseases team.

“Upon investigation, it was revealed that the man was bitten in March but only sought medical attention two months later, by which time the virus had already spread through his body. Sadly, he passed away on 30 May,” the municipality said.

KwaZulu-Natal is one of three provinces with the highest number of reported human rabies cases, alongside the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

READ | ‘The main problem with rabies is by the time symptoms show, it’s a fatal disease’

Last year, a 3-year-old child died after coming into contact with a suspected rabid dog in the Ngonyameni area.

In a collaborative approach to combat the virus, the eThekwini metro has adopted the “One Health approach”, which involves the collaboration of multiple sectors to eliminate human rabies by 2030.

The City’s director of health, Rosemary van Heerden, said: “We have already convened two stakeholder meetings with various departments who pledged to support the campaign. As a result, we successfully vaccinated 385 domestic animals – 372 dogs and 13 cats – during a three-day campaign in the eZimbokodweni area this month.”

She said the City’s communicable diseases directorate was working closely with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to expand vaccination efforts and public education campaigns in high-risk areas.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a deadly but preventable viral zoonotic disease transmitted through the saliva of infected mammals, including dogs, cats, mongooses, goats and cattle.

The World Health Organisation has identified it as one of the most neglected zoonotic diseases disproportionately affecting impoverished communities in under-resourced areas.

The NICD warned that once symptoms appear in humans, rabies is almost always fatal. However, timely vaccination can prevent infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms of rabies may include headaches, fever, confusion and muscle pain.

Any contact with a potentially infected animal – through bites, scratches or licks – requires immediate first aid followed by medical evaluation for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

PEP is available free of charge in the public sector and at a cost in the private sector.

READ | 5 cases of humans with rabies: Here's what you should know

If exposed, wounds or scratches must be washed immediately with soap or detergent and thoroughly rinsed under running water for at least 15 minutes.

The NICD stressed the importance of reporting suspected rabid animals to veterinary services or animal health technicians.

“Do not attempt to capture or approach the animal,” the NICD warned.