Rabies warning: Over 4 800 people bitten by animals in Limpopo every year

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) is warning the public to be aware of the lethality of rabies.

A study published earlier in May provided a 12-year analysis of animal bites and human rabies cases reported in Limpopo.

While every human rabies infection mentioned in the study resulted in death, the NICD says this can be prevented with proper treatment.

Rabies always fatal

The surveillance report conducted by Public Health Bulletin South Africa (PHBSA) showed that there were 98 743 recorded animal bites in Limpopo from 2011 to 2023.

This is an average of just over 4 800 bites annually, with 60% of those bites in the Vhembe district.

Of the humans that were bitten and infected, domestic dogs were the source of bites 81% of the time. Cats and farm animals made up the remaining 19%.

Only 32 people became infected with rabies, although all 32 cases resulted in death.

“27% of cases received post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), but none completed the course of treatment or vaccination and the fatality rate was 100% for all 32 cases,” stated the PHBSA report.

“The disease is characterised by severe neurological signs and symptoms, with death resulting within an average of five to seven days from clinical onset for furious rabies and 11 days for paralytic rabies,” the report said.

Roughly 59 000 humans die of rabies globally each year, with Africa and Asia accounting for 95% of cases.

India has the highest number of rabies deaths per year, with PHBSA stating that an estimated 20 000 people were killed annually — primarily as a result of being bitten by a stray dog.

Early treatment key

The NICD called for heightened awareness of rabies and urged pet owners to be the first line of defence against the disease.

“Each pet owner has a responsibility to contribute to reducing the risk of rabies by ensuring their pets are vaccinated against rabies,” the NICD said on Friday.

Rabies is can be transmitted through the saliva of infected animals and via bites, scratches, open wounds or mucous membranes.

The NICD added that while rabies was fatal once symptoms appear, it could be prevented if the bite victim was treated with PEPs soon after the incident.

“Wounds and scratches should be washed immediately with soap or detergent and rinsed thoroughly under running water for 15 minutes.

“Suspected rabid animals should be reported to veterinary services or animal health technicians. Do not attempt to capture or approach the animal,” the NICD said.

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