By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Fifteen people have died from rabies since the start of 2026, while 115 laboratory-positive animal cases were recorded in the first seven months of the year, the Department of Agriculture (DOA) has said.
As of 26 August, the human death toll comprised seven confirmed and two probable cases in the Eastern Cape, five confirmed cases in KwaZulu-Natal and one confirmed case in Limpopo.
The department said rabies remains a serious threat across all nine provinces, with significant hotspots in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
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On Wednesday, the DOA announced that South Africa will join the global observance of World Rabies Day on 28 September under the theme “Stronger Together”.
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“Rabies is one of the world’s deadliest yet most preventable diseases. No one should lose their life to a disease we know how to prevent. Vaccinating dogs and cats, practising responsible pet ownership, reporting suspected cases and seeking prompt medical care after potential exposure are essential to preventing deaths,” Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp said.
“Through responsible pet ownership and acting quickly, we are ‘Stronger Together’ in the fight against rabies,” he said.
Working through the National Rabies Advisory Group, the department said South African stakeholders were uniting to raise awareness about rabies and its impact on animal and public health.
“Everyone is encouraged to contact their local state or private veterinarian, animal health technician or animal welfare organisation for advice and assistance regarding rabies prevention and vaccination,” he said.
Contact details for provincial veterinary services are available on the department’s website.
“Through stronger collaboration and coordinated action, we can prevent rabies, protect lives and move closer to a rabies-free South Africa and world. This is a call to responsibility, urging all of us to make a tangible difference in the fight against this life-threatening disease,” Aucamp said.
Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but is preventable.
The department urged pet owners to vaccinate dogs and cats regularly. It said that after a bite, scratch or lick from a potentially rabid animal, the wound should immediately be washed with soap and running water for at least 10 minutes before medical attention is sought.
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Post-exposure treatment can prevent rabies when administered promptly and correctly.
The department also highlighted that any mammal can contract rabies, including pets, livestock, wildlife and humans, and stressed that responsible pet ownership and preventing the movement of unvaccinated animals are essential to stopping the spread of the disease.
Two adult men from the Ethenjane area in eThekwini’s South Service Area died after being exposed to the same dog in July.
Both subsequently developed symptoms consistent with rabies, tested positive for the disease through laboratory confirmation and died in early August. The municipality is also investigating a suspected case involving an elderly woman from Umnini.
“The recent cases highlight the ongoing public health risk posed by rabies and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention following any animal bite or exposure,” the municipality’s Health Directorate said.
Historical surveillance data shows that 19 human rabies deaths were recorded in the eThekwini metropolitan area between January 2021 and August 2026.
Of these, 11 occurred within the South Service Area.
At least one death was publicly reported during the 2024/25 financial year: a three-year-old child from Ngonyameni whose death was reported in September 2024 after contact with a dog suspected of having rabies.
At least two further eThekwini rabies deaths were publicly reported during the 2025/26 financial year: a 32-year-old man from eZimbokodweni who died in May 2025 after being bitten by his unvaccinated dog, and a person who died in uMlazi later that year.
In July, a targeted animal vaccination campaign was conducted in Ethenjane, Emapayipini and Mgalaza.
The campaign vaccinated 141 dogs and seven cats, treated 25 pets, distributed more than 300 educational pamphlets and engaged approximately 500 community members.
The municipality said it was preparing to intensify animal vaccination campaigns and public awareness initiatives across affected communities.
“Approximately 5 000 additional animal rabies vaccine doses have been secured to support the expanded response,” the directorate said.
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