Officials with the KwaZulu-Natal agriculture and rural development department report that two children tragically died from rabies and the department warned that a new spike in rabies had been picked up along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, according to a Times Live report.
Departmental spokesman Khaye Nkwanyana said the cases had been detected in Durban‚ on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast‚ and Empangeni and Richards Bay areas.
A rabies vaccination drive began last October and officials are trying to cover all the province.
Avoid strange animals, including dogs and cats, and seek medical attention you receive a bite or a scratch, no matter how minimal, officials advise.
Rabies is an acute viral infection that is transmitted to humans or other mammals usually through the saliva from a bite of an infected animal. It is also rarely contracted through breaks in the skin or contact with mucous membranes.
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According to the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, all mammals are susceptible to rabies.
Related:
- ‘If you want to prevent humans from dying from rabies in Africa and Asia, you need to eliminate dog rabies’: Swiss researcher
- Rabies outbreak: 11 displaced Congolese killed
- Thailand reports increase in animal rabies
- Public awareness campaigns are key in the fight against rabies: Study
- Rabies: What should you do if you’re exposed?
