Rabies scare in KZN
2004-10-21 15:14
Port Shepstone - Several cases of rabies have appeared in southern KwaZulu-Natal, and the public are warned to be careful of the deadly disease, health authorities said on Thursday.
One child has died, and another is in hospital with serious rabies symptoms, the provincial health department said.
Both children had been bitten by a stray puppy at Bhongweni village, Ezinqoleni, and 11 other people had been bitten by the same dog before a local hunter put it down, an investigation by the department showed.
These people were immediately given rabies vaccine therapy.
Lindiwe Khuzwayo, spokesperson for the department, urged the public to seek medical assistance immediately if bitten or scratched by an animal.
The earlier the treatment, the more likely it was the disease could be cured, Khuzwayo said.
She said it took 2-10 weeks to show signs of rabies, but once these symptoms appeared, no treatment was possible, and the patient would die.
Symptoms include headache, fever, vomiting, anxiety, fear of water, insomnia, and paralysis. Eventually the person falls into a coma and dies.
However, if someone received treatment soon after being bitten, they would not die from the disease, Khuzwayo said.
A vaccine for the disease was available, and all domestic animals should be vaccinated, she said.
In July there was a similar rabies outbreak in the Eastern Cape, and two people died.
- SAPA