NMBM warns of canine rabies outbreak – NMBM

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is calling on residents and pet owners to be vigilant and protect themselves from the outbreak of the canine rabies that has spread throughout the Metro.

This comes after the City received a notification of an outbreak of the virus at the end of August from the Department of Agriculture, after 61 rabies specimens submitted, came back positive from testing.

NMBM Municipal Health Services Deputy Director, Dr Patrick Nodwele said the number of cases had escalated during August and September 2021.

“Fortunately, no human cases of rabies were reported so far in the Metropolitan area, but community members and pet owners are urged to remain vigilant and protect themselves from the virus. The outbreak of canine rabies is spread throughout the Metropolitan area.”

“Rabies, which occurs in domestic animals, usually originates from wild animals. It is the contact between the domestic and wild animals that result in the spread of the infection to domestic animals and subsequently to humans. Rabies is a viral disease which is caused by a virus called Rhabdovirus. Rabies is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) that predominantly affect human populations from animal bites (saliva), scratches or handling of infected animals,” Dr Nodwele said.

Working with the Department of Agriculture the City has vaccinated 5254 dogs and 438 cats across the City in an effort to curb the virus which is fatal once clinical symptoms appear, particularly in humans.

“We are calling on all community members with unvaccinated domestic pets to bring their animals for vaccination in accordance with the vaccination schedule issued by the Municipality from time to time, the vaccination and community education program is on-going. The Public Health Directorate is currently conducting health awareness to community members. The following numbers can be contacted for local rabies updates, NMBM Dog Control Unit 0415061743 and 066077173 during office hours,” Nodwele added.

What to look out for: Incubation and symptoms of a rabies infection:

The incubation period for rabies is typically 2–3 months but may vary from 1 week to 1 year, dependent upon factors such as the location of virus in the body, the entry site, and the viral load. Initial symptoms of rabies include a fever with pain and unusual or unexplained tingling, pricking, or burning sensation at the wound site. As the virus spreads through the human body to the central nervous system, progressive and fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord develops.