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A five-year-old child from Reeston in East London has become the second person to die from rabies after being bitten by an infected dog.
This is as the number of positive cases is increasing in both of the Metro's in the Province, with Nelson Mandela the most affected.
The canine rabies outbreak also claimed the life of a nine-year-old boy, Owam Bhuti of Motherwell in Nelson Mandela Bay last week.
He died at Dora Nginza Hospital after being bitten by a rabid dog.
Two active cases are also being monitored and investigated by Buffalo City Metro Municipality.
The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform says 70 positive cases of rabies have been reported in NMBM and eight in East London recently.
As a consequence, the Department is rolling out a mass rabies vaccination programme in the two Metros.
State Veterinary Service director, Dr Cebisa Mnqeta, says the only way the province is going to succeed in dealing with this outbreak is through the vaccination of pets.
"The Eastern Cape government is currently vaccinating in the Gqeberha area and Buffalo City Municipality," he said.
Mnqeta says 10 qualified animal health technicians will be deployed to work with teams already on the ground.
He says the government is also working with private veterinarians and animal welfare organisations to assist with the vaccination programme.
NMB Metro Mayoral Committee member for public health, Councillor Lance Grootboom, has urged residents to have their animals vaccinated against rabies to ensure that more lives are not lost.
Grootboom says 198 dogs and 10 cats were vaccinated in Nelson Mandela Bay on Wednesday but that the Metro needs to reach more pets across the city.
"We still need to reach more pets so people must please come forward when they see our teams. Let us save lives. The only way we can prevent the spread of rabies is through vaccination. We don't want to lose any more lives to this virus," he said.
He says the vaccination teams plan on visiting areas such as Chetty, Area 11 in Uitenhage, Greenfields and Joe Slovo and will operate from 9 am to 3 pm daily.
The incubation period for rabies is typically 2-3 days depending on factors such as the location of the virus in the body.
Initial symptoms of rabies include fever with pain and an unusual tingling or burning sensation at the wound site.
Residents have been encouraged to contact the NMBM Dog Control Unit on 041 506 17 43 during office hours for all local rabies updates.
