There were six confirmed cases of human rabies between October and November 2021, said the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
According to the NICD, four cases were recorded in the Eastern Cape, while KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo had one each.
“In addition, several suspected cases from these areas are under investigation at the time of this report.”
As of 23 November 2021, 17 laboratory-confirmed human rabies cases have been reported in South Africa.
Nine were found in Eastern Cape, four each in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
“Although cases are reported annually in South Africa, the occurrence of cases in these provinces has increased compared to previous years,” the institute said.
This compares to eight laboratory-confirmed cases in 2020, 10 in 2019, 16 in 2018, six in 2017 and one in 2016.
The increased number of human cases is believed to be related to outbreaks of rabies in domestic dogs in the affected provinces.
In the Eastern Cape, particularly the Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City Districts, more than 400 cases of rabies in dogs have been detected for 2021.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the eThekwini and King Cetshwayo Districts have been most affected with nearly 300 cases of rabies in dogs reported.
“The first occurrence of dog rabies cases in the Cape Town surrounds in decades have also been reported in recent months.”
The NICD said four dog cases were reported from Khayelitsha and Gordon’s Bay.
However, no additional cases have been reported since mid-October 2021.
“To date, no human rabies cases have been reported from the Western Cape.”
The NICD defines rabies as a fatal viral infection of the brain.
The virus is spread by contact with the infected saliva of a rabid animal. Humans can come into contact with the virus-laden saliva in different ways, for example, bites and other wounds inflicted by these animals.
“Rabies has been an endemic disease in South Africa for many years. It is reported in various parts of the country involving different animal species.”
According to the institute, vaccination is the best available measure to prevent infection and outbreaks of rabies.
“Dogs that are not fully vaccinated for rabies are susceptible to infection.” – SAnews.gov.za
