Rabies Awareness Month – 5 facts about the disease

CASES of rabies are on the rise in the greater Zululand region and beyond, with three children south of Durban recently having died after contracting the disease.

This highlights the importance of pet owners abiding by the law and vaccinating all pets.

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As we head towards Rabies Awareness Day on 28 September, here are some interesting facts:

1. Globally, one person dies from rabies every nine minutes
2. In South Africa, all pet owners are legally obliged to vaccinate their animals against rabies
3. There is no cure for rabies and is fatal once symptoms appear
4. Washing of wounds can be life-saving
5. Vaccinating dogs reduces human infection

If you are bitten by a suspected rabid animal, wash the wound with soap and under running water for 10-15 minutes.

If bitten, rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) needs to be injected into the wound.

In the case of a clinic not having vaccine available, the staff must determine where the vaccine is available.

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