George Herald | Suspected rabies in KZN

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Suspected rabies in KZN
14:24 (GMT+2), Fri, 18 May 2012

NATIONAL NEWS - The possibility is being investigated that a KwaZulu-Natal boy died from rabies after his family dog bit him last month, an official said on Friday.

Provincial agriculture department spokesman Jeffrey Zikhali said senior provincial animal health technicians were on their way to examine whether the boy had contracted rabies.

The boy died at Emmaus Hospital on Thursday night. The minor and his father were bitten by their dog "which had run mad on Easter Friday" (April 6), the mother told officials.

Zikhali said the dog was vaccinated on April 4, during the area's vaccination programme. The boy initially showed no worrying symptoms.

"His mother said he started vomiting on Thursday and was rushed to Emmaus hospital."

There had apparently been an outbreak of rabies this year in the Winterton/Bergville region. Zikhali said seven cases of rabies were recorded in Bergville in January.

"We had nine cases in February, 10 cases in March and the figures dropped in April to three cases. If confirmed, this may be the only case for May," said Zikhali.

During a campaign which started in January, a total of 4985 dogs and 767 cats were vaccinated.

Source : Sapa