If bitten by an animal, seek medical help
KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, North West and Limpopo have seen the lion’s share of documented rabies cases in recent years.
Dogs are not the only animals that can transmit rabies to humans, although this is the most common cause of human rabies.
According to Dr Pete Vincent of Netcare Medicross Tokai, livestock, cats, wildlife, mongooses and bats are all potential carriers of the disease, saying that new concerns have been raised after a Cape fur seal tested positive for rabies.
Vincent said KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, North West and Limpopo have seen the lion’s share of documented rabies cases in recent years.
He said the detection of animal rabies in Cape Town is an important reminder that all animal bites should be medically assessed for rabies risk.
“Greater public awareness of rabies and ongoing vigilance is needed throughout South Africa. Previously, seal bites have been considered low risk for rabies. However, recent developments indicate the urgent need for post-exposure prophylaxis and antibiotics, as advised by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases,” he said.
He added that the virus is spread through the saliva of infected animals, either when they bite or when their saliva comes into contact with an open wound or the eyes, nose or mouth of another animal or an individual.
Mande Toubkin, Netcare’s general manager, said anyone who is bitten by an animal should always seek emergency medical care for an assessment, no matter the size of the wound.
Toubkin said a rabies risk screening with possible tetanus immunisation as a treatment for potential exposure to the virus that causes rabies must start as soon as possible.
“The most important step for anyone who is bitten is to immediately clean the wound with soap and clean running water for 10 minutes to help wash as much of the virus away as possible, then seek medical care. Even if the wound is not bleeding badly, there should be no delay in seeking treatment. Rabid animals may be aggressive or even over-friendly. Cows with rabies may look like they are choking, and wild animals such as bucks may display unusual behaviour, such as coming closer to humans that they are not habituated to. However, noticeable signs of rabies are not always present, and so a medical assessment is essential,” said Toubkin.
If there is a potential rabies risk, a series of rabies vaccinations is needed. Post-exposure prophylaxis must start as soon as possible after the bite. Depending on the severity of the injury, your doctor may also inject rabies immunoglobulin into the wound.
Rabies immunoglobin is only available at certain major hospital centres; however, this can be administered in the first week following the bite. Keep a record of the dates of each rabies vaccination and complete the course as medically instructed.
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