The agriculture department in KwaZulu-Natal has revved up its rabies awareness efforts in the Ilembe district following the death of a nine-year-old boy a few weeks ago.
The provincial minister of agriculture and rural development, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, joined an intensified drive last week in Maqumbi, where the boy had died in July this year in a confirmed case of rabies.
He was one of ten South who have lost their lives to the disease this year, two of whom were from KwaZulu-Natal (the other victim from this province was a 24-year-old man from the eThekwini district), five from the Eastern Cape, and three from Limpopo.
Five more South Africans have died in suspected cases of rabies but were unconfirmed by laboratory tests.
Even though the Eastern Cape has recorded most of the country’s rabies-related deaths this year, KwaZulu-Natal is regarded as one of South Africa’s hotspots for the disease, and the prevalence is particularly high in the Ilembe district.
Human health linked to animal health
In the meantime, the South African Veterinary Council has once again warned that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are all inextricably linked and that it is critical for as many animals as possible to get their vaccinations.
If someone gets bitten by an animal suspected to have rabies – because of its behaviour or because it is unvaccinated – the wound must be washed out well with soap and running water for at least 10 minutes before seeking immediate medical attention.
Treatment must start right away but bite victims can still receive immunoglobulin up to seven days after initial treatment. “Pet owners need to keep in mind that not only stray dogs can be infected with rabies, but that rabies can also be transmitted to unvaccinated household pets through their saliva and not only a bite,” the council warns in a statement.
The KwaZulu-Natal agri department says it has vaccinated a total of 70 000 animals so far and urges residents to make sure their pets have received the initial and follow-up doses of the vaccine.
ALSO READ: Keep your loved ones safe this World Rabies Day
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
