Man’s death sparks urgent rabies vaccination drive in eThekwini

The eThekwini Municipality in KZN has intensified its rabies awareness and vaccination efforts following the death of a man who was bitten by his unvaccinated dog, which later tested positive for rabies.

The Witness reports that the incident occurred in the eZimbokodweni area, south-west of Durban, where the man reportedly delayed seeking medical attention after the bite in March.

By the time he visited a health facility, two months later, the virus had already spread throughout his body, and he tragically died shortly thereafter.

According to the eThekwini’s Communicable Diseases team, the dog had displayed signs of rabies, including sudden aggression and abnormal behaviour, before succumbing to the virus.

This case mirrors a similar tragedy in Ngonyameni last year, where a three-year-old child died after contact with a suspected rabid dog.

The municipality said that rabies is a deadly but preventable viral disease that spreads through the saliva of infected animals such as dogs, cats, goats, mongooses and cattle.

Once symptoms appear in humans, rabies is almost always fatal. Early intervention through vaccination remains the most effective method of prevention.

Rosemary Van Heerden, eThekwini’s director of health, said the city has adopted the One Health approach, encouraging collaboration across health, veterinary and environmental sectors to eliminate human rabies by 2030.

“We’ve held two stakeholder meetings this year, bringing together various departments to back the campaign. During a three-day drive in eZimbokodweni this month, we managed to vaccinate 385 animals, 372 dogs and 13 cats,” said Van Heerden.

Common symptoms of rabies in humans include headaches, fever, confusion and muscle pain.

Any suspected contact with an infected animal, whether by bite, scratch or lick, requires immediate wound cleaning with soap and water and urgent medical attention.

The World Health Organisation lists rabies as one of the most neglected zoonotic diseases, disproportionately affecting impoverished communities in under-resourced areas.

“To curb further fatalities, eThekwini’s Communicable Diseases Directorate is partnering with the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to expand its outreach, especially in high-risk areas,” added Van Heerden.

Residents are urged to ensure their pets are vaccinated and to stay informed.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.