Rabies spike hits Ilembe district

A spike in rabies cases has been detected along the coastal belt of KZN, with a number of cases originating from the Ilembe district.

The increase in confirmed cases comes after the KZN agriculture and rural development department (KZNDARD) launched their massive vaccination programme, which has been ongoing since October last year.

The programme began in Durban and has proceeded to both the South and North coast of the province, targeting mainly the rural areas.

Also read: KZN to intensify campaign as rabies spike

Quintin Doidge from the state vet clinic in Stanger has said that the situation is still dire and local problem areas mainly include Ndwedwe, KwaDukuza, Mandeni and Maphumulo.

In the long run, mass vaccination and education campaigns are planned for across the province from Inanda to Richards Bay, as many people are unaware of how serious the virus actually is, and often only resort to treatment when it is too late.

Last year a young boy was bitten by a dog while playing near a community standpipe near his home in the Thafeni area of Upper Tongaat.

It was only 14 days later, when he began experiencing symptoms of the deadly virus, that he was taken to hospital. Tragically it was too late, as he died in hospital only one day later.

A young boy also recently lost his life after being bitten by a rabid cat while on holiday with his family in Blythedale.

In January this year two girls at the Shortens Country Estate in Ballito were bitten by a stray dog that had rabies. The young girls were immediately taken for treatment and have fully recovered.

In a very rare case, a local woman was on the receiving end of a rabies scare last week when she was bitten by a horse.

Also read: Rabid horse bites Doringkop woman

Lara Mansfield, who lives on a farm near Doringkop, inland from Stanger, told the Courier she approached the horse on Monday last week thinking it was sick.  She said while trying to help the horse, she got too close and was bitten.

While the Department is doing all it can to cover the entire province in its vaccination drive, they are calling for residents to do the following:

• Do not entertain strange animals, particularly dogs and cats, in your neighbourhood.
• Report strange dogs and cats to your nearest local SPCA for collection.
• Children must be monitored and must not play with domesticated animals, unless they have been recently vaccinated for rabies.
• In cases where someone has received a dog or cat bite, no matter how minimal it may look, you are urged to immediately approach a clinic or hospital in less than 24 hours for rabies treatment.

Doidge urged residents not to touch any stray dogs but contact the SPCA or the state vet clinic, especially if they appear to be rabid.

The state vet can be reached at 032 437 7500/4/9.

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