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In the month before 25 August 2022, South African public health authorities reported 2 cases of rabies from Eastern Cape Province, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (1 case) and OR Tambo District (1 case).
Between 1 January 2022 and 25 August 2022, South Africa has reported a total of ten human rabies cases.
The affected areas are: Eastern Cape Province, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (5 cases); Limpopo Province, Mopani District (2 cases) and Vhembe District (1 case); KwaZuluNatal Province, eThekwini Municipality (1 case) and iLembe District (1 case)
A further 5 deaths from probable rabies were reported from Eastern Cape Province, OR Tambo District (4 cases) and Amathole District (1 case).
Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease of the central nervous system caused by the rabies virus. People are infected when saliva from an infected mammal comes into direct contact with broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth), usually from a bite, scratch, or lick.
Rabies is invariably fatal once symptoms develop. Only a small number of people with the disease are known to have survived.
All travellers to rabies endemic areas should be aware of the risk of rabies and advised to avoid contact with animals (both wild and domestic), particularly dogs and cats:
Children are more vulnerable to rabies than adults, as they are less likely to understand the risk of interacting with animals, less able to defend themselves from an animal attack and may not report a potential exposure.
All travellers to endemic areas should be aware of immediate wound care and advised to seek medical attention immediately following potential exposure.
Effective rabies vaccines are available and prevent clinical rabies from developing. They can be used pre- and post-exposure.
See the TRAVAX Rabies and Rabies post-exposure guidance pages for further information.
