Cape Town – The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed three new cases of human rabies in South Africa.
In its latest monthly update, the NICD said two more cases were reported in Limpopo, and one case in the Eastern Cape.
“In addition, two deaths from the Eastern Cape are reported as probable rabies cases; however, this could not be confirmed by laboratory testing,” the NICD said.
In total, seven human rabies deaths have been laboratory confirmed this year in South Africa as of May 20.
The Eastern Cape has reported three cases, Limpopo three cases and KwaZulu-Natal, one case.
In addition to the confirmed cases, four probable human rabies cases are recorded from the Eastern Cape.
The five rabies cases reported from April 21 to May 20 involved children between the ages of 2 and 14.
“In four of these cases, dog bite histories were reported.
“For one case the exposure history remains unclear.
“In three of the cases no rabies post-exposure prophylaxis was sought or provided and for the remaining two cases vaccination was provided with no rabies immunoglobulin,” the NICD said.
The administration of rabies immunoglobulin, a medication made up of antibodies against the rabies virus and used to prevent rabies following exposure, by infiltration of all wound sites, is critical.
For more information on rabies and how to prevent human cases, visit www.nicd.ac.za.
Cape Times