Rabies in South Africa

Public health authorities in South Africa report that rabies continues to be transmitted in the country. In December 2022, a child from Vhembe District was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with rabies.

From 1 January 2022 to 13 Decmeber 2022 there were 13 cases of rabies in South Africa. The affected provices were Eastern Cape (7 cases), Limpopo (4 cases) and KwaZulu-Natal (2 cases).

A further 6 probable cases were reported from Eastern Cape (5 cases) and KwaZulu-Natal (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.

Advice to Travellers

All travellers should be:

• aware of the risk of rabies, particularly if travelling to rabies endemic areas
• advised to avoid contact with animals (both wild and domestic), particularly dogs and cats
• know how to prevent against animal bites, including bat bites

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 to carry out immediate wound care and 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.