Today is World Rabies Day

MORE than 55 000 people die from rabies each year, when this deadly disease is 100% preventable.

WITH a large increase in fatalities each year, raising awareness of costs involved in curing this deadly disease as well as the steps that can save lives is the theme for World Rabies Day today.

Public health and veterinary experts from 34 different countries will come together under the global theme of #EndRabiesTogether, to co-ordinate efforts to combat rabies in Africa.

Decline

KZN has seen a steep decline in both animal and human cases over the last few years.

This success has been achieved through a focus on dog vaccinations and bears testimony to the fact that elimination of canine rabies in dogs in South Africa is an achievable objective.

Preventable

Even though rabies is 100% preventable with timely intervention of post-exposure prophylaxis, it is a deadly disease with a case-fatality rate of almost 100%.

The majority of human rabies deaths globally occur as a result of being bitten by dogs and most victims are children on the continents of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

A staggering 160 people die every single day from the disease.

The most cost-effective way of preventing canine rabies is by vaccinating dogs, supplemented by improving access to human vaccines.

Vaccine

The vaccine can be administered to people before exposure to the virus or immediately after contact with an infected animal. Vaccinations are available from regional hospitals, pharmacies, clinics and travel clinics countrywide.

It is also a legal requirement that all pets are vaccinated annually against rabies by a veterinarian.

Let’s #EndRabiesTogether this year and eliminate unnecessary suffering and loss of life caused by rabies in our most vulnerable communities.