RABIES

IT'S NOT JUST ANIMALS

- Words by LEVI LETSOKO

It could start with your dog or cat welcoming you home after work.

Or it could be the result of an animal encounter in the wild, whether you're on a safari trip or simply enjoying time outdoors on your own.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system, and can be transmitted from infected animals to humans. We've all heard warnings to look out for frothing at the mouth (a common symptom); fear of water is another sign. And while rabies in humans is rare, it is possible - and vital that you receive immediate treatment, as there is no cure and it is fatal.

How serious is it?

According to a report by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) published in September 2023, South Africa has documented an average of 10 laboratory-confirmed cases of human rabies annually over a 20-year period. According to the latest NICD report, 12 human rabies cases were reported in 2023 in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Limpopo.

The report emphasises that this low number of confirmed incidents is an indication of the efficiency of the response mechanisms, and prevention and disease management control systems that the Department of Health has in place, including in those areas that are most at risk.

What does a rabies infection look like?