Rabies outbreak claims life of a nine yea old boy – NMBM

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Acting Executive Mayor, Cllr Luxolo Namette has sent his condolences to the family of a nine-year-old boy who succumbed to the canine rabies on Thursday following the outbreak of the virus in the City recently.

This comes after the City cautioned residents and pet owners in the City to be vigilant and protect themselves from the outbreak of canine rabies that has spread throughout the City.

Earlier today the City indicated that no human cases of rabies had been recorded in the City. Sadly, new information from the Health Department during a Joint Operations Committee meeting confirmed the loss of life of the nine year old.

“We have learnt with sadness the passing of a nine-year-old from Motherwell who has died due to rabies. We would like to send our condolences to the family, their loss cuts deeps as we do not ever expect our children to leave us when they are so young. We are with the family in prayer,” the Acting Mayor said.

The boy passed away at the Dora Nginza Hospital where it was also established that he had been biten by a dog.

“Our Public Health officials together with the Department of Agrarian Reform have been busy these last couple of months vaccinating dogs and cats in an effort to curb the virus as we know that rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease and post-bite vaccinations can also save lives. Vaccinating domestic animals such as dogs, cats is the most cost-effective way for preventing rabies in people. Dog vaccination reduces deaths attributable to dog-mediated rabies.”

“But we have noted a significant increase in the number of cases during August and September 2021. That is why we are calling on all residents to be vigilant and for the owners of unvaccinated domestic pets to bring their animals for vaccination in accordance with the vaccination schedule issued by the Municipality from time to time. Our staff members will continue with the vaccination and community education program is on-going,” Cllr Namette said.

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.

Residents are encouraged to contact the NMBM Dog Control Unit on 0415061743 and 0660771773 during office hours for all local rabies updates.