A rabies specialist says while the official number of rabies deaths in the province stands at three this year, the figure could be higher as many cases, especially in rural areas, are misdiagnosed.
Grant Lindsay says the deaths of many patients who showed symptoms of encephalopathy, such as salivating profusely, confusion and paranoia, are ruled as "natural causes".
This medical term refers to any disorder or disease of the brain.
Lindsay says it's believed that nine out of 10 cases of encephalopathy-related deaths may have been misdiagnosed - which means these people could have died from rabies.
"It's a very difficult diagnosis, and I think as a doctor a lot of my colleagues miss the diagnosis. You have to have a high suspicion that it is rabies and you have to take a very, very good history - and then often in the history you'll then pick up the animal contact, the canine contact, within the previous few weeks."
The Department's currently embarked on a campaign to vaccinate around 600 000 dogs in the the province, following outbreaks in the Ugu district, Port Shepstone, uThungulu, Bergville and Winterton areas.
More than 97 cases of rabies in cats and dogs were reported throughout the province this year.
- East Coast Radio News
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