A Case Report on a Human Bite Contact with a Rabid Honey Badger Mellivora capensis (Kromdraai Area, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa)

A rabid honey badger (Mellivora capensis) from the Kromdraai area, part of South Africa's Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, transmitted a dog-origin rabies virus to humans after biting a dog and three adults in July 2021. One victim required hospitalization. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the virus matched that of domestic dogs, highlighting wildlife's role in sustaining rabies cycles and posing risks to human health. The study underscores the need for vigilance against zoonotic diseases in regions with diverse wildlife populations.

Mohale, D. K., Ngoepe, E., Mparamoto, M., Blumberg, L., & Sabeta, C. T. (2023). A Case Report on a Human Bite Contact with a Rabid Honey Badger Mellivora capensis (Kromdraai Area, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa). Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 8(4), 186. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8040186