Public Health Bulletin report urges heightened rabies awareness, preventative measures

JOHANNESBURG - A recent surveillance report from the Public Health Bulletin is sounding the alarm on rabies, urging heightened awareness and preventative measures countrywide.

The report underscores that rabies is a nearly always fatal viral disease, transmitted primarily through the saliva of infected animals, predominantly dogs, and remains a significant health threat.

According to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NCID), the disease remains a serious public health threat in provinces including the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo.

“In KZN, there's been one probable human rabies case this year from a domestic dog bite and across the rest of the country. We've seen three confirmed cases - two in Limpopo and one in the Eastern Cape,” said the NICD's Vuyiswa Khumalo.

She further explained preventative measures to prevent fatality.

“The most important way to prevent rabies transmission is through vaccination. That starts with vaccinating your pets, especially dogs and cats. It's not only important, it's actually the law. 

"If someone is bitten or scratched by an animal, here's what they should do: firstly, wash the wound immediately, with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, then go to a healthcare facility.”