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.”
