World Rabies Day aims to eliminate the disease
The theme of the 10th annual World Rabies Day is educate, vaccinate, and eliminate.
The 10th annual World Rabies Day took place on Wednesday, aiming to raise awareness about the impact of the disease and how to prevent and eliminate the main global sources.
Read: Rabies outbreak in Gauteng – vaccinate your pets now
Rabies not only occurs in dogs and cats but also in other wild animals such as cattle, jackals and mongoose.
It is a zoonotic disease which means that humans can contract it from animals, typically through a bite.
“About 600 to 700 cases of animal rabies and 20 to 30 diagnosed cases of human rabies occur each year in South Africa,” says Dr Juan Schwartz of the Selpark Vet Clinic.
Read: Protect yourself and children from dog attacks
The virus is spread through contact with infected saliva and is almost always fatal to the animal, although humans have a good chance of recovery if early treatment is received.
Under South African law all pet owners are obligated to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies.
Domestic animals should be vaccinated at three months of age, with a booster at nine months, and then every three years afterwards, says Schwartz.
Vaccinations can be administered at any veterinarian clinic and free of charge at your local SPCA depending on availability at the time.
If you suspect an animal might have rabies you should not touch the animal under any circumstances, says Springs SPCA manager Celeste Kleyn.
Abnormal behaviour is the most obvious sign of an infection.
Schwartz says to use the simple guideline “when a wild animal becomes tame or a tame animal becomes wild”.
Rabid animals also salivate excessively and are afraid of water, says Kleyn.
The SPCA or state veterinarian needs to be contacted immediately to collect an animal if you fear it is displaying symptoms.
At this point a veterinarian will perform a biopsy of the animal’s brain to be sent to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital to confirm if the disease is present.
All confirmed cases must be reported to the Department of Health.
For information about vaccinations contact the Selpark Vet Clinic on 011 815 3964 or the Springs SPCA on 087-940-2831.
Contact the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Rabies Unit on 012 529 9420 for advice.
Visit the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital’s website
Rabies: Guide for the Medical, Veterinary and Allied Professionals
