Rabies risk escalates in iLembe

A five-year-old child was mauled by a potentially rabid dog at Glendale last week. The child was seriously injured and the dog was never found.

The threat of rabies is ever-present and rising on the North Coast according to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The number of rabies cases in KZN has risen sharply since June, from 138 cases to 308. Of these, 297 cases involved dogs, with cows, goats, cats, wild boar and horses making up the remaining 11 cases.

Two people were infected by bites from infected animals and are receiving treatment.

In October alone, KZN recorded 41 new cases of rabies in dogs, of which five were recorded in iLembe – Shakaville (2), Thembeni (1), Zimbali (1) and Stanger (1).

Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals and is estimated to cause 59 000 human deaths annually in more than 150 countries, according to the World Health Organisation, which noted that 95% of cases occur in Africa and Asia.

It is important to remember that not all rabid animals behave in an aggressive manner. For this reason, you should avoid touching strange, injured or sick animals.

If you are exposed to a suspected rabid animal, a course of post-exposure immunisation injections should be given immediately to prevent development of the disease.

There is no cure for rabies once the symptoms are present.

If you suspect you have been infected, wash the wound under warm and soapy water and seek immediate professional treatment. It could save your life.

Pet owners are reminded to ensure that pets’ vaccinations are up-to-date.

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