Mandeni dog tests positive for rabies
Many people are unaware of how serious the virus is, and often only seek treatment when it is too late.
Authorities are on high alert after a case of rabies was confirmed in Mandeni yesterday.
Steve Fox of Business Against Crime Mandeni said the dog had been involved in a number of fights with other dogs and had reportedly bitten a few people.
“While chasing cars up and down the road on Wednesday, the dog was hit and killed.
“After it was identified as the dog that had been causing all the trouble, it was taken by the state vet and sent for testing.”
Anyone who came into contact with the animal needs to seek immediate treatment.
If your dog or any other pet was even suspected to have come in contact with the infected animal, do not delay getting help.
Even if your dog was vaccinated for rabies, it may need a booster.
Rabies spike
The increase in rabies cases this year has seen a number of cases proving fatal.
Quintin Doidge from the state vet clinic in Stanger said the situation was still dire and local problem hot spots mainly include KwaDukuza and Maphumulo.
Many people are unaware of how serious the virus is, and often only seek treatment when it is too late.
Last year a young boy was bitten by a dog while playing near a community standpipe near his home in the Thafeni area of Upper Tongaat.
It was only 14 days later, when he began experiencing symptoms of the deadly virus, that he was taken to hospital.
Tragically it was too late, as he died in hospital only one day later.
In a very rare case, a local woman was on the receiving end of a rabies scare in February when she was bitten by a horse.
A young boy also recently lost his life after being bitten by a rabid cat while on holiday with his family in Blythedale.
The fate of the feral cat population in Blythedale has now also been called into question following the recent outbreak in rabies in the small community.
Doidge urged residents not to touch any stray dogs but to contact the SPCA or the state vet, especially if they appear to be rabid.
The state vet can be reached at 032 437 7500/4/9.
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