What you need to know about rabies
On this day pet and animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their animals, specifically dogs and cats, to ensure zero cases of rabies in humans, as it is 100 per cent preventable.
Did you know that September 28 is World Rabies Day?
“A person dying of rabies dies an unnecessary death,” said Dr Nomsa Mnisi, vice-president of the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).
“If a disease is preventable by purely vaccinating animals, we should not be seeing people, especially the most vulnerable like children, dying,” Mnisi said.
Read: Why it’s important to get your baby vaccinated
What to do when bitten by a dog in a rabies outbreak area:
1. Wash the wound/exposed area with running water and soap for between 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Immediately go to your nearest clinic/doctor (district surgeon)
3. Inform your state veterinarian/animal health technician so that they can inspect the animal, determine the risk, and test for rabies if necessary.
4. Depending on the exposure category, the clinic/doctor will start the relevant post-exposure prophylaxis protocol (with day zero of treatment being the actual date of exposure or as close to this day as possible)
5. The state veterinarian will revert with results from the suspected animal to determine if post-exposure prophylaxis should continue or be discontinued and if the local dog and cat population requires a rabies vaccination campaign.
As part of World Rabies Month, pet owners are urged to visit their local veterinarian, state veterinarian or animal health technician to vaccinate their animals. Together #RabiesEndsHere.
