More plasma needed to protect rabies exposed patients

South Africa has a critical shortage of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) – the key ingredient in the prevention of the disease.

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) noted that it had only collected just over half of the amount of the plasma required in South Africa in 2016, and that it is anticipating a shortfall again this year.

RIG is produced from plasma collected from hyperimmune donors – the term used to describe donors who have been vaccinated against rabies.

South Africa needs around 295 plasma donors who donate at least 12 times a year to meet demand, but currently there are only between 280 and 320 donors who donate around seven times a year.

That led to the SANBS collecting only 1 450 litres of plasma last year, significantly less than the 2 300 litres required.

The shortage of hyperimmune donors forces the National Bioproducts Institute (NBI) to import hyperimmune plasma at great cost.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases estimates that there are, on average, about 10 confirmed cases of rabies in South Africa each year. But there are often outbreaks, most recently in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal two weeks ago and in Gauteng last year.

While rabies is preventable, it is a terminal disease – meaning that there is no specific treatment for it. Once symptoms appear, it’s 100% fatal.

Silungile Mlambo, national marketing manager for the SANBS, urged South Africans who have been vaccinated against rabies to donate plasma to alleviate the shortage and ensure that vital health resources are readily available in South Africa.

Even if you have not been vaccinated against rabies you can still become a hyperimmune donor. SANBS will provide the necessary vaccinations to build up your antibodies to the required levels.

“South Africans have it in their hands to make a difference,” she says. “We appeal to South Africans who have been vaccinated against rabies to donate their plasma. The more hyperimmune plasma donors we have the more plasma we can provide to the NBI, which manufactures RIG, among other essential plasma-derived medicine.”

Plasma donors can donate every two weeks and it takes about 45 minutes to donate.

To find out more about donating plasma and to locate your nearest SANBS plasma donor centre, visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31