The recent tragedy involving a three-year-old child in Ngonyameni highlights a critical issue in eThekwini Municipality: the threat of rabies.

According to IOL, the young child, who had been in contact with a rabid dog, began showing symptoms like fatigue and a sore throat before sadly passing away.

This tragic event underscores how serious and deadly rabies can be if not addressed promptly.

Understanding Rabies: A Preventable Threat

Rabies is a viral infection that poses a severe risk to both humans and animals if left untreated.

While the virus is most commonly transmitted through bites, it can also spread through scratches or saliva from an infected animal.

Despite being preventable, rabies remains a major health concern due to its fatal nature.

Recognizing Rabies Symptoms in Humans

The symptoms of rabies can vary, but commonly include:

Headache
Fever
Mental confusion
Irritability
Restlessness
Muscle pain
Difficulty swallowing
Hydrophobia (fear of water)

These symptoms can progress rapidly, making early intervention crucial.

The Role of Vaccination

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent rabies in both pets and humans.

In response to the recent incident, eThekwini Municipality is urging all pet owners to ensure their animals are vaccinated against rabies to prevent such tragedies.

Free Mass Vaccination Campaigns

To combat the risk of rabies, the municipality is launching mass vaccination campaigns in several areas, including Ntinyane, KwaMas’xha, Ridgeview, Shallcross, and Chatsworth.

These campaigns will offer free rabies vaccinations to eligible pets, helping to curb the spread of the virus.

How to Keep Your Family and Pets Safe

To protect yourself and your pets from rabies, consider the following steps:

Avoid contact with wild animals.
Do not approach unfamiliar dogs or cats.
If bitten by an animal, seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to local authorities.