Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Apr;27(16):2200252.
doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.16.2200252.

Ongoing rabies outbreak in dogs of unprecedented scale and human cases in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa, up to 13 February 2022

Matthijs F Ravensberg  1 , Ewout B Fanoy  2 , Jane Whelan  2 , Carmen We Embregts  3 , Corine H GeurtsvanKessel  3 , Jared B Strydom  4
Affiliations

Ongoing rabies outbreak in dogs of unprecedented scale and human cases in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa, up to 13 February 2022

Matthijs F Ravensberg et al. Euro Surveill. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

More than 430 cases of rabies have been confirmed in dogs in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality of South Africa since July 2021. We describe the ongoing outbreak, its geographical spread and six related human deaths that have occurred. Further investigation of the outbreak and vaccination of the dog population is required. Raising awareness among healthcare providers, the public, and among international travellers planning to visit the region, is key for action to protect human and animal health.

Keywords: South Africa; animals; disease outbreaks; dogs; lyssavirus; rabies.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Epidemiological curve of weekly cases of rabies in dogs (n = 436) and date of exposure in humans (n = 5) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa, 1 January 2021–13 February 2022
Figure 2
Figure 2
Geographical distribution of rabies cases in dogs in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa, 1 January 2021–13 February 2022 (n = 436)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Department of and Fisheries. Controlled and notifiable animal diseases. Pretoria: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. [Accessed: 30 Nov 2021]. Available from: https://www.nda.agric.za/doaDev/sideMenu/Food%20Import%20&%20Export%20St...
    1. Bishop G, Durrheim D, Kloeck P, Godlonton J, Bingham J, Speare R, et al. Rabies. Guide for the Medical, Veterinary and allied Professions. Pretoria: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Republic of South Africa. 2010. Available from: https://www.nicd.ac.za/assets/files/B5_rabies_revised_2010(2)(1).pdf
    1. Department of Health. Republic of South Africa. National Health Act (Act No. 61 of 2003). Government Gazette, 2017. Vol. 630; No. No. 41330. Available from: https://www.nicd.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/41330_15-12_Health-com...
    1. National Government of South Africa. Municipalities of South Africa. Johannesburg: National Government of South Africa. [Accessed: 1 Nov 2021]. Available from: https://municipalities.co.za/demographic/1/nelson-mandela-bay-metropolit...
    1. Department: Agriculture and Rural Development and Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory. Rabies Submission and Laboratory Test Report. Pietermaritzburg: Department: Agriculture and Rural Development. [Accessed: 29 Nov 2021]. Available from: https://www.kzndard.gov.za/images/Documents/AnimalHealth/F2-APVL-C-01%20...

Substances

LinkOut - more resources