Rabies suspected in death case

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs had reported that a woman showing symptoms of rabies, had died in Durban.

The cause of the 52 year-old's death could only be confirmed once a post mortem had been done. The woman, who was bitten by a neighbour's dog on 24 March 2012, did not seek medical care and was admitted to hospital two months later, on 24 May 2012.

She had started scratching and complaining of pains on the healed wound. Pains were followed by hydrophobia, difficulty in swallowing saliva, weakness and vomiting. We are pleading with the communities to have their dogs and cats tested as the department carries out vaccination campaigns in various areas in the province.

Members of the woman's family who had handled the saliva secretions, were advised to get treatment. The department hopes to put an end to the spread of the virus which has no known cure.