Second child dies of rabies
2004-10-22 14:12
Port Shepstone - A second child has died of rabies in KwaZulu-Natal after being bitten by an infected puppy, the province's health department said on Friday.
The boy, whose name was not released, was also been bitten by a stray puppy at Bhongweni village, Ezinqoleni.
A local hunter put the dog down but it was thought to have bitten at least 12 children and adults.
On Thursday the department said another boy had died from the disease.
The other people who were bitten did not have serious symptoms and were being observed, said Lindiwe Khuzwayo, spokesperson for the department.
She 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.
It takes between 2-10 weeks to show signs of rabies, but once these symptoms appear, no treatment is possible and the patient will die.
Symptoms include headache, fever, vomiting, anxiety, fear of water, insomnia, and paralysis. Eventually the person falls into a coma and dies.
Khuzwayo said all domestic animals should be vaccinated against the disease.
- SAPA