No human case of rabies reported in Gauteng – NICD
JOBURG –The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has recorded no humans being bitten by rabid animals but warns pet owners to get their pets vaccinated.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed that there have been no human cases of rabies in Gauteng to date.
According to the deputy director for NICD, Professor Lucille Blumberg, a number of people have been potentially exposed through bites, scratches or licks of mucous membrane ( e.g. mouth, nose) and all of these people have received post-exposure preventative treatment which included rabies vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin to prevent rabies disease from developing and they are all well.
In total, Blumberg said that there have been 22 cases of animal rabies reported in Gauteng including two dogs in Randfontein, one dog in Carltonville, 10 jackals, four cows and one dog in Mulderdrift/Kromdraai/Lanseria area of Mogale City, one dog in Germiston, one cow in Heidelberg, one dog in Boksburg and one honey badger and three jackals in northern Pretoria.
“Nine people have been exposed to jackals, 14 exposed to rabid dogs and 11 exposed to rabid cows. All of these people have received post-exposure prophylaxes which include rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin.
Post-exposure preventative treatment is almost 100 percent effective when administered correctly and timeously to humans following exposure to suspected rabid animals,” Blumberg pointed out.
She added that it was critical that all dog and cat owners ensured that their animals have been vaccinated against rabies and receive annual boosters.
The SPCA has supplied the symptoms of a rabid animal:
- Changes in attitude and behaviour
- Changes in the bark
- Dropped jaw
- Excessive salivation and excitability
- Fever
- Hydrophobia (Fear of water)
- Paralysis
- Pica (appetite for non-nutritious substances)
- Seizures
- Shyness or aggression
- Inability to swallow.
Details: The National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 011 386 6000.
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