In 2012 there was a serious outbreak of canine rabies in the Okhahlamba (Ladysmith) area. This led to a spill over into the jackal population with a number of other wildlife species becoming victims (caracal, baboon, dassie). Following an intense vaccination campaign amongst the dog population by the department, the disease disappeared and has not been seen in the canine or wildlife population since.
It was however suspected that we had not seen the end of the jackal cycle, as so far in January 2015, we have had three jackal cases – two near Wagendrift Dam and one near Nottingham Road. This represents a movement of nearly 130km from the original outbreak, and I believe we can consider the whole of this Midlands area now a potentially endemic jackal rabies area. Jackals are a well-suited host for the rabies virus, but normally only when their numbers are sufficiently large and there is a source of rabies to initiate the outbreak. Little is known (scientifically) about the current jackal population.
It is however agreed by most people that there has been a significant increase in the population in recent years, especially in the commercial farming areas, and that their territories are smaller than before. This will obviously contribute to the spread of the disease and its future. With large vaccinated dog populations in its path, the disease has possibly spread along the Drakensberg wildlife areas, and more likely amongst the commercial farms where the population seems denser. Rabies in jackals can be cyclical and is dependent on the jackal population, which fluctuates depending on disease, drought, etc.
There is little that can be done at present to limit the spread of this outbreak. Successful control programs have been implemented in European countries, controlling and eliminating the disease in foxes and similar carnivores through the use of bait vaccines. Although this is under investigation as a potential method of control, there exist certain human safety factors with these vaccines that need to be considered before use in South Africa.
A key control factor is the control of the disease in the dog population, which is currently in a very healthy state in KwaZulu-Natal with dog rabies having been reduced from 473 cases in 2007 down to 38 in 2014, with ZERO human cases been reported in almost two years. Further to this is the vigilance of the farming community to report to their local State Vet office any suspicious animals and ensure all dogs on the farms are vaccinated.
What has been done?
Follow up vaccinations have been carried out in the area of the outbreaks in Estcourt and this week a program will start to cover the Nottingham Road area. Dog vaccinations are an ongoing part of the State Vet functions and most of the communal areas of the Midlands have been well covered. While the state has been brining the disease under control in KZN, it is not the state’s responsibility to ensure every dog is vaccinated, it is the pet owner’s legal responsibility to ensure each dog is vaccinated.
Warning, be vigilant
1. We can expect rabies to pitch up almost anywhere in the area and so all sectors of the public must be made aware. The Health Department will be energised for human exposures.
2. We can expect rabies in other wildlife species (any warm blooded animal that the jackal may encounter and bite). Although for the most part, other species will be a dead end host, in any animal showing clinical signs of rabies, there exists the possibility of spread. Wild animals will often become tame as most encounters with jackal are recorded as: “Jackal entered the yard and fought with our dogs and was killed or shot.” Hyenas have walked through bush lodges and started biting chairs and an aardwolf was found playing in the sea. It is difficult to describe symptoms, as there is such a variation however, the first point is a CHANGE IN BEHAVIOUR, any drastic change in behaviour in domestic or wildlife is often the starting point. Aggression is common especially when the animal is stimulated by noise, movement, etc. Tourists and hikers are at risk due to possible unprovoked attacks, which happened with a baboon.
3. We can expect spill overs into cattle, other livestock and in unvaccinated dogs. It is unlikely that a jackal will successfully bite a large number of livestock at once, and most losses that have occurred are individual bovines or goats that have come in contact with a jackal. All rabid animals can become dangerous! An example is the rabid bull that physically killed a child in the Ladysmith area in 2012. Again a change in behaviour is the first sign with aggression, strange vocalisations and salivation being common in livestock.
4. Tourists are warned in wildlife areas, as the baboon (very rare occurrence) that was positive, attacked people without provocation from some distance. This could be true for other species, as well as animals suddenly appearing amongst tourists unafraid before biting.
What to do?
1. Ensure all dogs and cats are vaccinated. Currently the national protocol of a three yearly vaccination, with initial vaccinations happening at three months and a booster before the end of the first year apply. This is a legal requirement in South Africa – failure to comply by dog owner can lead to prosecution.
2. High-risk livestock can be vaccinated at the owner’s expense. Please ensure adherence to vaccine manufacturers specification as vaccines differ for livestock use and some are not recommended.
3. DO NOT APPRAOCH OR ATTEMPT TO HANDLE ANY UNKNOWN ANIMAL OR SICKLY ANIMAL!
4. Any bite of a human must be immediately reported and seen to by a doctor or nurse. Post exposure treatment for rabies is virtually
100 percent effective if done immediately. Exposures where skin is not broken will mostly not be treated according to recommendations by the doctor. However, scratches and bites must be treated immediately! One can expect a series of four vaccinations over 14 days (not five). In addition with bad wounds, you require Immunoglobins to be injected into the wound immediately. If you are denied treatment, call the Health Department until satisfied, as treatment is required timeously. A dog bite is considered an emergency in KZN and people should not have to stand in long queues for hours as time is of the essence. Where no transport is available dog bites are classified as ambulance cases in KZN
First aid:
1. Rinse the wound with running water for ten minutes.
2. Treat the wound with a disinfectant.
3. Report to a clinic or hospital or doctor IMMEDIATELY.
4. Also report the incident to the State Vet
Contact details. State Vet Uthukela – Estcourt 036 352 3119. b. State Vet Uthukela – Ladysmith – 036 634 6300.
c. State Vet Umgungundlovu – 033 347 6245.
