The latest rabies outbreak is a major cause for concern. Please, vaccinate your pets!
An outbreak of rabies was recently confirmed in the West Rand and both wildlife and
domestic species are involved. The Gauteng Department of Agricultural and Rural
Development (GDARD) recently made a statement about a rabid honey badger that
attacked three women in two days in the Kromdraai area. This honey badger was
killed and tested for rabies. The results were positive and therefore all three women
will be receiving the necessary post exposure prophylaxis (rabies immunoglobulins
and vaccines). The outbreak of a perceived to be rural disease in suburban areas
reiterates the importance of vaccinating pets to protect the human population,
regardless of where you reside in South Africa.
Rabies vaccination is compulsory by law. The vaccine is safe. It does not revert to
virulence, nor does it affect your pet’s ability to hunt or its future fertility. It is even safe
to administer to pregnant animals. Government provides rabies vaccination to cats
and dogs free of charge and private practices usually offer the vaccinations at
reduced rates.
In the case of an outbreak, such as was seen this week in Krugersdorp, any pet
exposed to a rabid animal will be euthanised if they do not have a valid rabies
vaccination certificate and history. A vaccination is only seen as valid if it was
administered by a veterinarian, veterinary nurse, or authorised animal health
technician. Government cannot confirm that non-veterinarians kept the vaccine at
the correct temperatures, administered the correct quantities, or administered it in the
correct manner. In the interest of human safety, unvaccinated animals would need
to be put down.
If exposed pets are vaccinated correctly and a valid vaccination certificate can be
provided, other mitigating plans are put into effect to save not only your pets’ life, but
also yours and that of your children.
The main message we need to be reminded of during every rabies outbreak is that
vaccination of pets is our only hope of controlling this disease.
If you reside in an area where rabies is common or there is a current outbreak, it is
especially important to report any suspicious animals or animal behaviour to your local
state veterinarian or animal health technician. If you are bitten, scratched or licked
by an animal with changed behaviour, wash the wound or contact area
immediately, using soap and running water. Do this for at least 10 minutes.
Immediately seek medical attention and inform the attending health care
professional that you might have been exposed to rabies. The state veterinarian
should also be informed that they can examine the animal to determine your risk. The
medical professional will then administer post exposure prophylaxis (rabies
immunoglobulins and vaccines) according to your risk assessment and exposure
category. Reporting these incidents to both medical and veterinary professionals will
literally save lives. Dr Didi Claasen, Afrivet’s Executive – Technical and Marketing
Support reminds that “Rabies is 100% fatal, but also 100% preventable if handled
correctly.”
