Rabies flares up in the district again
It is crucial for all pets, both indoor and outdoor, to be vaccinated against Rabies every year
ZULULAND vets and animal shelters have urged the public to be diligent in the vaccination of their pets against rabies as KZN is experiencing a flare-up of the disease, with two confirmed cases in King Cetshwayo District.
Statistics released last week reveal one positive dog rabies case in uMhlathuze Municipality and one in neighbouring uMlalazi Municipality, with KZN as a whole reporting 33 positive dog cases this year.
‘In suspected rabies cases, people are advised to inform local animal personnel like the state vet, a private vet, animal health technicians or the SPCA so the cases can be attended to,’ said Compulsory Community Service (CCS) Vet Dr David Chelopo who is based at the Owen Sitole Agricultural College outside Empangeni.
‘While there is evidence of a flare-up, there is no need to panic and, to my knowledge, there have been no human casualties in our province.’
Chelopo advised people who are bitten or scratched by a dog or cat to visit their local health care service to begin a rabies vaccination programme.
‘There is no cure for rabies but the disease is preventable if the necessary prevention strategies are adhered to,’ he said.
Cause
Rabies is caused by a virus which affects all mammals and, in South Africa, mongooses and canines – dogs and jackals – are the primary hosts of the disease.
The disease is also transmitted in bats but has reportedly never been prevalent in South Africa.
However, there have been reports of rabies in cattle this year.
Chelopo said that rats are unlikely to transmit rabies, but a bite or scratch from any animal should be followed by medical attention to prevent the wound from becoming infected.
‘Rabies vaccinations for pets can be done by the state vet, private vets or the SPCA and it is crucial that all pets, from as young as four to six weeks old, are vaccinated against the disease,’ said Chelopo.
He also stressed the importance of pet sterilisation, which lowers population growth and ultimately reduces the number of rabies cases in the long term.
Richards Bay SPCA Inspector Wynand Strauss echoed Chelopo’s sentiments and said that pet owners must ensure all their pets, even the ‘indoor’ ones and ones that never leave the yard, are vaccinated annually against Rabies.
Signs of rabies in animals:
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Excessive salivating
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Difficulty breathing
• Aversion to water
• Abnormal behaviour
• Aggression
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