eThekwini steps up rabies campaign after death
eThekwini
Municipality is intensifying efforts to stop the spread of rabies following a
fatality in the south of Durban.
A
man from eZimbokodweni died from the virus after he was bitten by his
unvaccinated dog in March.
According to the city’s Communicable Diseases team, the man only sought medical
help two months later, when the virus had already spread.
The dog later showed signs of aggression and unusual behavior.
Last year, a three-year-old child from Ngonyameni also died after exposure to a suspected rabid dog.
READ: KZN Agriculture to ramp up rabies vaccinations
The city’s Director of Health, Rosemary Van Heerden, says they’ve launched a joint campaign with other departments, to eliminate human rabies deaths by 2030.She says over 380 pets, mostly dogs, were vaccinated in eZimbokodweni alone during a recent three-day drive.
Officials are urging residents to wash any bites or scratches with soap and water immediately, and get medical help, even if it’s just a lick from a possibly infected animal.
