Following the heart-wrenching death of a dog owner in the eZimbokodweni area, the eThekwini Municipality has intensified its rabies awareness and vaccination initiatives.

The man tragically lost his life after being bitten by his unvaccinated dog, which later exhibited signs of rabies, displaying unusual aggression and concerning behavioural changes.

The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, was both preventable and tragic.

An investigation by the City’s Communicable Diseases team revealed that the man had sustained the dog bite in March, yet only sought medical assistance two months later when the rabies virus had already taken hold.

This recent case echoes a similar, devastating event from last year in the Ngonyameni area, where a three-year-old child lost their life after contact with a suspected rabid dog.

Such instances underscore the critical importance of rabies education and the need for prompt action in the face of potential exposures to the virus.

Rabies, a severe viral zoonotic disease, is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals including dogs, cats, mongooses, goats, and cattle. Once symptoms manifest in humans, the disease is nearly always fatal. However, timely vaccination can be a lifesaver, preventing the onset of symptoms and infection.

According to the World Health Organisation, rabies ranks among the most neglected zoonotic diseases, with its impact disproportionately felt by impoverished communities in under-resourced areas. This reality drives the City’s renewed push for public awareness and preventive measures.

Rosemary Van Heerden, Director of Health in the City, reiterated the municipality’s commitment to combating rabies through a collaborative approach.

“We have adopted the One Health strategy, which involves coordinated efforts across multiple sectors aimed at eradicating human rabies by 2030,” she stated.

“Recently, we held two stakeholder meetings in which various departments pledged their support for this crucial campaign. As a direct result, we vaccinated 385 domestic animals—372 dogs and 13 cats—during a three-day campaign in eZimbokodweni this month.”

Symptoms of rabies in humans are non-specific and can include headaches, fever, confusion, and muscle pain.

It’s critical for anyone who has had contact with a potentially infected animal, whether through bite, scratch, or lick, to seek immediate first aid and medical evaluation. Proper first aid includes thoroughly washing the wounds with running water and soap and promptly reporting the incident to a health facility.

To bolster rabies vaccination and public education efforts, eThekwini’s Communicable Diseases Directorate is collaborating closely with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, particularly in high-risk areas known for rabies prevalence.

Members of the public are urged to reach out to the eThekwini State Vet Office at 031 328 9300 for details on rabies vaccination campaigns and preventive measures.

Together, through awareness and vaccination, we can strive to eliminate this deadly disease and protect our communities.

IOL

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