Hunt on for Salt Rock holidaymaker possibly exposed to rabies
Six positive rabies cases have been diagnosed on the Dolphin Coast, with one of the rabid dogs found running on Ocean Drive last week
After a child died of rabies in Upper Tongaat last month, five more rabies cases have been diagnosed on the Dolphin Coast.
Over the past month cases of rabies have been reported in the King Cetshwayo District (Eshowe to Richards Bay), moving south through the Ilembe District (Ndwedwe and Maphumulo) into Inanda township in Durban – and now in the greater Ballito area.
Most recently Sables Creatures volunteer, Dee Allan picked up an aggressive stray puppy running from Salt Rock to Ballito on Ocean Drive on Thursday last week and took it to Aloe Veterinary Clinic in Ballito.
Also read: KZN to intensify campaign as rabies spike
It was put to sleep and yesterday the results from the post mortem revealed that it tested positive for rabies.
Salt Rock Veterinary Clinic’s Dr Janet Hulbert said a white, female holidaymaker reported at their clinic after being bitten by a dog on Thursday last week.
“We now have reason to be very concerned that the same dog that bit her was the one that was euthanased at another local veterinary clinic the same day, and has been confirmed as rabid on post mortem.
“If this woman has not sought medical advice or is not started on post exposure prophylactic treatment for rabies, she will most likely die of rabies,” said Dr Hulbert.
She said it was urgent that the holidaymaker was found immediately.
“If you are bitten by any animal, it is important to immediately wash the wound with hot water and soap for 15 minutes and go to a doctor straight away.”
Aloe Veterinary Clinic’s Dr Jeremy Lamb said it was crucial that the public did not touch strays.
“Only people who are qualified and vaccinated against rabies should handle strays.
“Any animal can get rabies if they are not vaccinated and are bitten by a rabid animal,” said Dr Lamb, who has never before seen a rabies case in his clinic.
He said rabies is a viral disease, affecting the central nervous system. It is spread through contact with the saliva of infected animals, through bites or any break in the skin.
“Make sure your pets’ annual vaccinations are all up to date.
“Vaccination will provide your pet with much greater resistance to rabies if he is exposed to the disease, but you must be aware that there is no cure once it occurs.”
He said the only way to confirm if a dog has rabies is by putting the dog to sleep and examining the brain to test for rabies.
“If you have been bitten by an animal, go to the hospital straight away to get treatment. There is no point in taking the risk.”
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