Rabies death fuels urgent need for vaccination awareness across South Africa

It starts with a bite. Sometimes, it’s just a scratch. Barely enough to panic over, until it’s too late.

This heartbreaking reality befell a man from eZimbokodweni in KwaZulu-Natal, who tragically lost his life months after being bitten by a dog that had not been vaccinated.

The statement released by eThekwini municipality affirmed that by the time he sought medical help, the rabies virus had already invaded his nervous system. 

There was nothing doctors could do. This tragic story is not an isolated incident. In 2024, a three-year-old child from Ngonyameni also died after being licked by a suspected rabid dog.

Rabies is one of the deadliest viruses known to humans. Once symptoms appear, it’s almost always fatal. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), rabies causes nearly 59,000 deaths globally every year, with most occurring in rural and underserved communities in Africa and Asia.

The virus spreads through the saliva of infected animals: dogs, cats, mongooses, cattle, and even goats. Rabies is 100% preventable, but only if the person gets medical treatment immediately after exposure. The delay in seeking care is what turns a survivable incident into a tragedy.

What happens after a rabid bite?

When a person is bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, the virus enters the body through the wound.

It travels along the nerves toward the brain, a journey that can take weeks or even months. During this time, there are often no symptoms. But once the virus reaches the central nervous system, it’s game over.

Common signs of rabies in humans include:

• Headache and fever.
• Tingling or burning at the site of the bite.
• Confusion and anxiety.
• Hydrophobia (fear of water).
• Muscle spasms and paralysis.

At this stage, no treatment can save the patient. Which is why immediate action is so critical.

The closer the bite is to the brain and spinal cord, the quicker the virus can reach the nervous tissue.

The severity of the bite.

The amount of virus injected by the bite.

First aid could save your life.

Signs your dog has rabies

The dog's temperament changes significantly during the prodromal phase (first phase). It is common for quiet dogs to become agitated, and for active pets to become nervous or shy. This phase can last 2-3 days.

Following this stage, there are two recognised forms of the clinical disease:

Furious rabies is the second stage of rabies, characterised by aggressive behaviour, extreme excitability, and a depraved appetite, eating and chewing stones, earth, and rubbish (pica).

After a while, rabid animals may become paralysed and unable to eat or drink.

Hydrophobia (fear of water) is not a sign of rabies in dogs. This is a feature of human rabies.

The dog finally dies in a violent seizure.

"Dumb rabies," also known as paralytic rabies, is indeed the more common form of rabies in dogs. It is characterised by progressive paralysis, facial distortion, and difficulty swallowing. This form can lead owners to mistakenly believe their dog has something stuck in its throat or mouth.

Care should be taken in examination since rabies may be transmitted by saliva. Ultimately, the dog becomes comatose and dies.

If you or someone you know is bitten or scratched by a pet or stray animal, especially one that’s acting strangely, treat it like an emergency.

Here’s what to do:

• Wash the wound thoroughly under running water with soap for at least 15 minutes.
• Apply an antiseptic like iodine or alcohol.
• Get to the nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
• Report the incident to the State Vet Office or local health authorities.
• Even a lick from an infected animal on broken skin can transmit the virus. That’s how serious this is.

According to Rosemary van Heerden, Director of Health for eThekwini Municipality, rabies prevention starts with animals, not people.

“Our municipality has adopted the One Health approach. It recognises that human health is directly connected to the health of animals and the environment.”

The law requires all dogs and cats over three months to be vaccinated against rabies, yet many pet owners don’t comply, often because they simply don’t know or can’t afford vet visits. Rabies is still a poverty disease.

What you can do:

• Vaccinate your pets; it’s free at municipal clinics during campaigns.
• Report strange animal behaviour to your local vet or animal control.
• Educate your family, especially kids, on what to do if they’re bitten or scratched.
• Push for awareness in your community or workplace.

If you need information about upcoming rabies vaccination drives in your area, contact your local municipality.