TAKE NOTE: KwaDukuza rabies campaign schedule

The KZN agriculture and rural development department is embarking on a three week rabies campaign throughout KwaDukuza.

Free rabies vaccinations will be carried out by the animal health technicians from the State Veterinary Service in Stanger.

For inquiries contact Quintin Doidge on 076 821 7086 /032 437 7500 or Ntobeko Buthelezi on 076 949 9070.

Week one

Week two

Week three

According to the World Health Organisation, an average of 60 000 people die globally from rabies every year.

Treatment should be sought as soon as possible from the time of suspected exposure to the virus.

Also read: Slow start to Blythedale feral cat depopulation

The rabies vaccine is given in a series of five shots over 14 days.

In more than 99% of all cases of human rabies, the virus is transmitted via dogs but cats, rabbits and other wild animals can also be carriers.

The rabies virus is contracted through wounds (e.g. scratches from an infected animal) or by direct contact with mucosal surfaces (e.g. bite from an infected animal).

Once inside the body, the virus travels to the central nervous system, where a majority of the clinical symptoms manifest.

The incubation period averages two to three months and death occurs within two weeks after the appearance of clinical symptoms if intensive care is not sought.

At the initial onset of rabies, symptoms begin with flu-like symptoms, including: fever, muscle weakness, tingling and burning at the bite site. As the disease progresses, the person may experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, and insomnia.

Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal, and treatment is typically supportive.

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