KZN to intensify campaign as rabies spike

The recent death of a two-year-old boy from rabies after he was bitten by a dog in Upper Tongaat has highlighted the dire need to vaccinate dogs against the deadly virus.

Cases of rabies have been reported in the King Cetshwayo District (Eshowe to Richards Bay), moving south through the Ilembe District (Ndwedwe and Maphumulo) and into Inanda township in Durban.

Also read: Rabies kills two-year-old in Upper Tongaat

The spike in rabies cases has shocked the KZN agriculture and rural development department (KZNDARD).

Until recently KZN was considered human rabies free thanks to mass dog vaccination programmes spearheaded by the KZNDARD, the World Health Organisation and the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.

KZNDARD is now once again on a massive drive to eliminate rabies completely in order to prevent further deaths.

“We are targeting the vaccination of more than 70% of the dogs in these districts as they remain the main source of the disease for the rest of province,” said ministry spokesperson Khaye Nkwanyana.

A budget has been set aside for the six-month vaccination programme, which will involve local authorities, especially in the rural areas.

“This week our local teams have been conducting vaccination drives in several of the key areas, namely Appellsbosch, Ozwathini, Inanda and Umlalazi.”

In the long run, mass vaccination and education campaigns are planned for across the province from Inanda to Richards Bay.

“Our vets and technicians from other districts will be deployed to concentrate mainly on these affected areas with mobile animal clinics to cover as many households with dogs and other domestic animals as possible.”

Separate small teams utilising the provinces mobile primary health care vehicles will conduct educational visits to local schools across the districts.

The virus

According to the World Health Organisation globally an average of 60 000 people die from rabies annually, and more than 15 million people receive post-exposure prophylaxis every year.

Treatment should be sought as soon as possible from the time of suspected exposure to the virus.

The rabies vaccine is given in a series of five shots over 14 days.

In more than 99% of all cases of human rabies, the virus is transmitted via dogs but cats, rabbits and other wild animals can also be carriers.

The rabies virus is contracted through wounds (e.g. scratches from an infected animal) or by direct contact with mucosal surfaces (e.g. bite from an infected animal).

Once inside the body, the virus travels to the central nervous system, where a majority of the clinical symptoms manifest.

The incubation period averages two to three months and death occurs within two weeks after the appearance of clinical symptoms if intensive care is not sought.

Symptoms

Initial onset of rabies begins with flu-like symptoms, including: fever, muscle weakness, tingling and burning at the bite site.

As the disease progresses, the person may experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, and insomnia.

Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal, and treatment is typically supportive.

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