L’South Africa reported reported the first two cases of human rabies for the year 2023 in February and March, respectively in the provinces of Limpopo and KwaZuluNatal (KZN).
The case of Limpopo concerns a 2-year-old boy Thohoyandouin the district of Clothes, who was scratched by a dog in the face and neck in December 2022. The child had not received post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies at the time of the incident. On February 17, 2023, the child began exhibiting symptoms of rabies including fever, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, seizures, insomnia, confusion, delirium, hypersalivation, aggression, restlessness, hyperactivity, generalized weakness, and hypotonia. He died in hospital 10 days following the onset of symptoms. A pre-mortem saliva sample submitted to the NICD’s Special Viral Pathogens Laboratory (SVPL) tested positive for rabies.
The second case concerns a 5-year-old boy fromIn the lootin the district of King Cetshwayo, in the province of KwaZuluNatal. Although no animal bites were reported, it is believed he had come across a rabid animal in the months before his death and did not receive PEP. The exact date of onset of rabies symptoms is not known, but the child exhibited symptoms of fever, weakness, choking, vomiting, hallucinations, violent behavior, hydrophobia, dysphagia and hypersalivation. He died at a local hospital on February 27, 2023. A diagnosis of rabies was confirmed on a post-mortem skin biopsy specimen submitted to the NICD’s SVPL in early March.
Source : Outbreak News Toda
