The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) June update shows that there have already been five reported cases of rabies in humans in 2019, leading to at least two deaths.

Reported cases in South Africa

Of the reported cases, three were in the Eastern Cape and the other two in Limpopo.

“A probable case of rabies was reported in a four-year-old girl who died in May 2019. The patient was bitten by a stray dog on the face and leg in April 2019,” read the NCID’s June communique. “Post-mortem investigations were not possible for this case. Given the history of exposure to a stray dog prior to illness, and a clinical history that is compatible with the diagnosis of rabies, this case was classified as a probable rabies case in the absence of laboratory confirmation. “A total of five cases of human rabies has been confirmed for South Africa for 2019 to date.”

Note for health officials

A major issue in the case mentioned above is that rabies immunoglobulin was not administered to the patient, even though she was given four doses of rabies vaccine post-exposure.

“The administration of rabies immunoglobulin is a critical life-saving therapy in individuals with category 3 rabies virus exposures,” the NCID said.

The NCID advised medical practitioners that rabies immunoglobulin (ERIG) 1500 IU/5ML has been authorised for use in South Africa.

It is much stronger than the regular stock of medicine, and doctors, nurses, and paramedics have been advised to check the package of what they are using thoroughly to make sure they are administering the right medication.

Raise awareness

Speaking to IOL, Dr. Pete Vincent of Netcare Travel Clinics and Medicross Tokai said that awareness of rabies and getting potential cases the medical attention they need as soon as possible are the key to preventing death.