Johannesburg: The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has stressed the need for increased public awareness about the ongoing threat of rabies.
According to South African Government News Agency, the latest Public Health Bulletin South Africa (PHBSA) surveillance report indicates that rabies continues to pose a significant public health threat in South Africa, especially in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo. Rabies is a viral disease primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, mostly dogs, through bites, scratches, or contact with mucous membranes or open wounds. The NICD highlighted that most human rabies cases are linked to dog bites, and the disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
The study titled ‘Epidemiological Trends of Animal Bites and Human Rabies Cases in Limpopo, South Africa, 2011-2023: A Retrospective’, highlighted the significance of continuous surveillance to track incidents of animal bites and human rabies cases. The study found that the majority of human rabies cases are reported from these regions and emphasises the need to identify high-risk areas for targeted interventions.
The article is part of the PHBSA initiative, led by the NICD and the National Institute for Occupational Health, providing timely and actionable disease surveillance information for South Africa and the wider Southern African Development Community (SADC). While rabies is almost 100% fatal, the NICD noted that it is preventable through timely and appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in humans following possible exposures. Rabies in dogs and cats can be controlled through vaccination, and each pet owner is responsible for ensuring their pets are vaccinated.
Lead author of the study, Unarine Makungo, stated that the article offers crucial, evidence-based information regarding the persistent risk of rabies in Limpopo, where outbreaks continue to occur and disproportionately affect children. The study highlights the importance of dog vaccination, public awareness, and timely medical care after animal bites. The findings are directly relevant to healthcare providers, policymakers, and community members who play a role in rabies prevention and control.
Makungo expressed hope that this surveillance will guide targeted vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, ensuring that at least 70% of the dog population is vaccinated. She also pointed out that it should inform public education initiatives on rabies risks and appropriate responses to animal bites, as well as support awareness for access to free and timely PEP, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Makungo emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the veterinary and human health sectors through the One Health approach. The ultimate goal is to reduce the incidence of rabies and animal-bite injuries, moving South Africa closer to achieving zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
The study encourages the public to seek immediate medical care for PEP after a dog bite, which is available free of charge in the public sector and at a cost in the private sector. In the event of a dog bite, wounds and scratches should be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap or detergent and rinsed under running water for at least 15 minutes.