Rabies deaths reach 15 in South Africa as World Rabies Day urges stronger action

Rabies deaths reach 15 in South Africa as World Rabies Day urges stronger action

FOUR PAWS is urging communities to vaccinate pets, report suspected cases and seek urgent medical care after bites or scratches.

South Africans warned as rabies deaths reach 15 in 2026

South Africa has 15 human rabies deaths in 2026, with infected dogs linked to most cases. FOUR PAWS highlights pet vaccination and medical care after bites.

World Rabies Day raising awareness around dog vaccinations

Recent South African surveillance data has shown that most human rabies infections are linked to infected dogs, according to Fiona Miles, director of FOUR PAWS South Africa. She emphasised the importance of routine pet vaccinations and community awareness, and added that children were among the most vulnerable groups affected by the disease.