Rabies is real, and it’s a very dangerous disease that almost always ends in fatality, if not treated.
The South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) put out a statement calling for a rallying together to combat the deadly zoonotic disease.
Read more: Pet owners encouraged to boost rabies vaccination
Rabies is a viral disease that can infect any mammal, including household pets, wildlife, livestock, and humans, and once symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal.
The SAVA’s initiative, themed: Breaking Boundaries, raises awareness over how crucial it is to be able to identify the common signs of rabies. SAVA would also like to remind every pet owner that they must legally have their dogs and cats vaccinated, to protect both humans, and animals, against rabies.
The Bryanston Veterinary Hospital (BVH) in Sandton spoke about what rabies is, and how cases are dealt with in Sandton.
Also read: Vaccination drives for rabies sees hundreds of dogs vaccinated
BVH veterinarian Antoinette Rudolph said that although cases of rabies aren’t common in the Sandton community, she still recommends that people get any bite from a mammalian animal checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible after it happens.
“If you get bitten by any animal, and they break the skin, then, ideally, rinse it under running water for fifteen minutes – then, go straight to the doctor,” said Rudolph. “Your doctor will then analyse the risk. They will determine if there is need for concern. What they will do, if they’re not too concerned, is just vaccinate you against rabies to get your own body to form the antibodies.”
Rudolph said, that signs of rabies in humans develop quickly, and can end in loss of life, if not treated immediately.
“Hence, why I say to rather treat bites seriously. Once you start showing the clinical signs of rabies, there’s no treatment,” Rudolph emphasised. “There are different types of clinical signs for rabies in humans. Some people become really dull, and lethargic; other people become really aggressive.
“Signs are developed very quickly. Normally, if you’re bitten by a rabid animal, you start showing clinical signs within seven to 10 days,” said Rudolph.
Rudolph concluded by painting a vivid picture of how quickly rabies can spread from one mammal to another.
“Because rabid animals aren’t very well controlled, they can move around, and they’re quite confrontational. They tend to move quite quickly, and with that movement, they come into contact with a lot of animals,” said Rudolph. “The best way to protect humans from rabies is to vaccinate the animals around you, immediately surrounding you. If your pet is protected by vaccination, that protects you as the owner.”
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