Rabies case confirmed in Parys
Rabies is a life threatening disease for humans and animals and there is no treatment for the disease available. For the safety of yourself and your pets, please act preventatively.

A positive case of Rabies has been reported in Parys. Therefore the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Free State are going to have a free Rabies vaccination day in Parys this coming week, on Thursday 1 February.
On the day they will be vaccinating animals against Rabies at the following venues:
NG Parys Wes – 08:30-15:00
NG Parys-Suid – 08:30-15:00
Reformed Church Parys 08:30-15:00
Dutch Reformed Church – 08:30-15:00
Please spread the word so that we can see as much of our cats and dogs vaccinated during the campaign.
Rabies is a life threatening disease for humans and animals and there is no treatment for the disease available.
For the safety of yourself and your pets, please act preventatively.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that can affect all mammals, including humans.
The virus is present in high concentrations in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted by bite wounds.
The virus replicates in the tissues, subsequently entering the nerve endings in and around the wound. It can travel along these nerves and gain entry into the central nervous system, rapidly spreading to the brain stem and the forebrain.
Typical clinical signs in rabid animals or humans occur once the rabies virus has reached the brain tissue.
Once these clinical signs are noted, the disease is usually at a terminal stage and medical intervention is seldom successful.
The rabies virus can spread to the salivary glands before the infected animal starts to exhibit symptoms of clinical rabies; the disease can thus be transmitted by infected animals that appear outwardly normal.
Signs of rabies in dogs and cats:
Although signs may vary, infected animals may initially show changes in behaviour, like nervousness and anxiety. These symptoms can last for two or three days. They progress to irritability, photophobia (fear of light), biting, snapping, incoordination and seizures.
Some animals may show signs of weakness, incoordination and paralysis, which also affects the muscles used for swallowing.
How can you, your dog or cat contract Rabies?
Rabies is spread primarily through infected saliva.
The virus needs to gain entry into the body, thus normally through an injury to the skin.
This usually occurs during a bite wound from a rabid animal. Transmission may also occur if infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, for example, by licking.
What to do if you get bitten by a rabid animal
Should you be bitten by a suspected rabid animal, the first step is to wash the wound thoroughly with running water and a disinfectant.
You will need to see a doctor im- mediately so that they can begin post- exposure treatment. (Source: Bayer (Pty) Ltd., Animal Health Division www.bayeranimalhealth.co.za).