Vaccinate your animals against rabies

Rabies is a deadly disease which affects both animals and humans.

According to the information from the directorate of animal health in the department, rabies is usually transmitted through direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal. Infection can occur either via a bite from an infected animal or through non-bite exposure e.g scratches, abrasions, or open wounds exposed to the infected animal.

Rabies symptoms in human include increased saliva, hallucinations, spasm and fear of water.

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Once symptoms are present, the disease is fatal for both animals and humans. It is impossible to confirm whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at it and testing of the brain is required for confirmation.

With the suspect rabies cases some animals may act aggressive whilst others may appear tame.

Rabies is 100 percent preventable if animals are vaccinated.

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“A person dying of rabies is an unnecessary death. If a disease is preventable by purely vaccinating animals, we should not be seeing people, especially the most vulnerable like children dying,” said Dr Nomsa Mnisi, an executive member of the South African Veterinary Council.

Owners are advised to have their animals vaccinated by visiting local veterinarian, state veterinarian or animal health technician.

For more information call: 012 319 7456 or visit : www. dalrrd.gov.za