5 human rabies cases in SA in 3 months

AT LEAST five human cases of rabies have been confirmed in South Africa since December.

These cases were recorded in patients from Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZuluNatal and the Eastern Cape, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said yesterday.

NICD spokesperson Sinenhlanhla Jimoh said a sixth probable case of rabies had been reported in the Free State in December, involving a patient who presented and died with the clinical diagnosis of rabies after suspected exposure to a rabid domestic cat.

“In this case, laboratory confirmation was not possible due to the lack of appropriate specimens,” Jimoh said.

“Rabies in humans can be prevented through post-exposure prophylaxis.

“When a possible exposure occurs it is important to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and present to a health-care facility for rabies risk assessment as soon as possible.”

Jimoh said the rabies-specific preventative treatment includes a series of rabies vaccinations and the administration of rabies immunoglobulin. Wound treatment includes washing and disinfection, tetanus booster vaccination and, possibly, antibiotic treatment, which would also be provided at the health-care facility.

The six rabies cases mentioned involved exposure to rabid domestic dogs and cats.

“Other animals may also become infected with rabies virus and transmit the virus to humans, but such reports are less common. The rabies virus is present in the saliva of the affected animal and may be transmitted to humans through bites, scratches or other wounds that break the skin and allow the infected saliva to enter the body,” Jimoh said.

Jimoh added that rabies can also be controlled in animals through rabies vaccination, and it is vital to ensure that these animals are protected against the infection. – African News Agency (ANA)

ALL OF THE CASES MENTIONED INVOLVED EXPOSURE TO RABID DOMESTIC CATS AND DOGS