News you can use: Vaccinate your pets against rabies
Pet owners urged to vaccinate their pets to prevent rabies.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a disease that affects the brain and leads to the death of the person or animal infected with it – it is an incurable disease.
How is the disease spread?
The virus occurs in the saliva of rabid animals and if bitten by a rabid animal you can become infected.
It is, therefore, recommended that you never touch a strange animal in a high-risk rabies area – especially if they appear to be sick.
If bitten by a rabid animal you should thoroughly disinfect the wound and immediately consult a medical professional.
Rabid animals must be reported to the nearest state veterinarian as soon as possible.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary but include a change in behaviour, aggression levels and salivation.
Symptoms can also include paralysis.
How do you control rabies?
Vaccination is the only protection against rabies.
Pet owners are encouraged to vaccinate their dogs and cats, and encourage everyone around them to do the same.
Humans who work with animals in high-risk areas should also get vaccinated against rabies.
• Information from the South African Veterinary Council.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za
Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:
Or add the GCN on WhatsApp 079 406 1181 or BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137) today, to get all the latest news.
Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers Bedfordview Edenvale News, Alberton Record and Kempton Express
