Rabies is fatal but 100% preventable: owners urged to vaccinate their animals
Vaccinate your animals against rabies
THE Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) and the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) are collectively urging all pet and animal owners to vaccinate their animals against rabies as part of World Rabies Day on 28 September.
This zoonotic disease (a disease transmitted from animals to humans) causes damage to the human brain and spinal cord and is uniformly fatal.
ALSO READ: City of uMhlathuze licensing hours explained
The virus is transmitted through contact with the saliva from bites, licks or scratches from an infected animal.
According to SAVC Vice President Dr Nomsa Mnisi, a person who dies from rabies is an unnecessary death as the disease is preventable purely by vaccinating an animal.
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), rabies is estimated to cause over 70 000 human deaths annually in over 150 countries, with 95% of cases occurring in Africa and Asia.
Therefore, pet owners need to take vaccinations seriously and vaccinate rigorously.
According to specialists, animals should be vaccinated every three years, but in high risk areas, annual vaccination is recommended.
Although most people associate rabies with dog bites, other animals such as cats, mongooses, jackals and other wild animals can also infect people.
Animal owners will see a change in their pet’s behaviour if infected, as a rabid animal tend to behave strangely, often aggressively.
They also experience muscle paralysis, produce lots of saliva and experience difficulty in swallowing.
In the event of being bitten by a dog in a rabies outbreak area, follow the below listed steps:
1. Wash the wound/exposed area with running water and soap for between 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Immediately go to your nearest clinic or doctor.
3. Inform your state veterinarian so that they can inspect the animal, determine the risk, and test for rabies if necessary.
4. Depending on the exposure category, the clinic or doctor will start the relevant post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) protocol.
5. The state veterinarian will revert with results from the suspect animal to determine if PEP should continue or be discontinued and if the local dog and cat population requires a rabies vaccination campaign.
As part of World Rabies Month, people should vaccinate their animals by visiting their local veterinarian, state veterinarian or animal health technician (AHT).
HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
