Take the bite out of rabies

WORLD Rabies Day, which falls on Saturday 28 September this year, is an international campaign coordinated by Global Alliance for Rabies Control to educate the public and promote rabies prevention.

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the nervous system of mammals, causing swelling of the brain, and eventual death. The disease can be transmitted from one species to another, such as from dogs to humans, commonly by a bite from an infected animal.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US states on its website that more than 55 000 people, mostly in Africa and Asia, die from rabies every year.

“Rabies is completely preventable, and prevention is always better than a cure,” said Bernice Dyer, manager of the Society Liaison Unit of the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA), the largest animal welfare organisation in South Africa.

“The rabies virus can infect human beings, especially children, wildlife, and domestic animals. This time of year underlines the need for responsible pet ownership, including keeping pet’s vaccinations up to date, and population control through sterilisations,” said Bernice.

Prevention tips from the NSPCA

•  Take domestic pets to the vet at least every 12 months and keep their annual vaccinations up to date. Take note of campaigns run by your state vet in endemic areas.
• Spay or neuter your pets to decrease the likelihood of visits from other neighbourhood pets that may not have received current vaccinations.
• Most rabid animals occur in the wild; keep domestic pets on a lead at the park or when out for a walk to avoid a potential run in with infested wildlife.
• If you suspect that you or your pet have been in contact with a rabid animal, contact call your doctor and take your animal to the local vet immediately.
• Report suspected rabies cases in your area to the state vet.

Signs of rabies infection

• In humans: After an incubation period, an infected person may experience flu-like symptoms, psychotic behavior, nausea, hydrophobia; a fear of drinking water due to throat spasms, paralysis starting in the legs moving towards the head, cardiac arrest, coma, and death.
• In animals: a behaviour change; aggressive animals may lose their fear of humans, while a docile domestic pet may suddenly become aggressive. Watch for paralysis starting at the hind quarter and moving forward. It is important to note that while not all the characteristics may be displayed, all infected animals will show excessive salivation due to an inability to swallow.

World Rabies Day coincides with the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur who helped to develop the first vaccine against the disease.