Confirmed human rabies death in eNseleni

WHILE health authorities are yet to release an official statement, the first fatal human rabies case in recent years in the district has been recorded.

Reports of a young child from eNseleni having died from the disease were confirmed on Tuesday.

Department of Health King Cetshwayo spokesperson, Sibongiseni Manqele, yesterday (Wednesday) said they are yet to receive official feedback from intervention teams and will release a statement in due course.

‘This tragic incident serves to highlight the vital importance of every pet owner having their animals vaccinated against rabies,’ said Dr Vanessa Meyer, who has set up the RABIES (Rabies Awareness Body In eShowe) group specifically to raise rabies awareness.

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‘Rabies vaccinations are a legal obligation for all pet owners. If they fail to vaccinate their animals they are breaking the law.

‘The sad thing is that we have the technology to eliminate rabies, but it boils down to education and access to information.’

The RABIES group has ample educational material available and urges the public to contact them for it.

‘We strongly encourage everyone, especially school teachers and parents of young children, to get in touch with us so we can send out the educational material,’ said Meyer.

‘If 70% of animals are vaccinated against the disease, that would be sufficient to control it.’

If scratched or bitten by a rabid animal, immediately wash the wound with soap under running water for 15 minutes.

Then go to a clinic or hospital to receive a course of injections. A course of four injections could save a life.

It is imperative that the full course is completed to prevent rabies as there is no cure once rabies has been contracted and left untreated for some time.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include heightened aggression, excessive salivation, in some cases paralysis of the lower jaw, and paralysis of the hind legs.

To contact the RABIES group for educational material, search Rabies Awareness Body In Eshowe on Facebook and send a private message.

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