As the year draws to a close, the time has come to bid farewell to the beloved NICD Communicable Diseases Communiqué in its current format. On behalf of the editorial team, I thank everyone who has contributed to the publication’s success since its inception. We look forward to witnessing the transition to the Public Health Bulletin of South Africa and the exciting opportunities it brings. Please note that the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) will still provide timely updates on infectious disease outbreaks within South Africa and beyond our borders. Look out for the new “Alerts” page, which will be launched on the NICD website in January, including a new “Beyond our Borders” sub-section.

In the final issue of the Communiqué, we provide an update on rabies in South Africa. We are sad to report on a new case of human rabies in a child from the Eastern Cape Province. The country has recorded 11 cases for the year so far. Rabies is  virtually 100% fatal but preventable through vaccination of domestic animals, health promotion and education, adequate wound management, and the appropriate administration of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

On behalf of the Communiqué editorial team, we thank you for your ongoing support of the publication over the years, and we wish you a safe and happy festive season.