Rescue organisation warns of rabies outbreak
What is rabies? Rabies is a highly contagious, fatal viral disease that can be transmitted through the saliva of dogs to other animals, as well as humans.
Residents of the South Coast are urged to have all pets vaccinated amidst a spike in reported rabies cases recently.
According to Nicky Koekemoer of 4 Paws and a Tale Rescue, there has been multiple cases of dogs contracting rabies in the area, as well as one case where a person had been bitten by a rabid dog in the street.
“We’ve found that, with the recent hard lockdown, people who would usually have vaccinated their animals have put it off, and the surge in local rabies cases now puts pets – and their owners – at risk,” explained Koekemoer.
“In the Amanzimtoti area, there has been three confirmed cases in the past two weeks, and we know of a rabid dog in the Umkomaas area, so it is absolutely vital that every pet owner takes responsibility and gets their animals vaccinated; there is no cure for rabies, it is fatal.”
She said that pet owners should also ensure all pets are kept away from street-facing locations where they’re more vulnerable to passing dogs; and should ensure the property is secure so that there is no chance of wandering dogs entering or exposure to potentially rabid dogs.
What is rabies? Rabies is a highly contagious, fatal viral disease that can be transmitted through the saliva of dogs to other animals, as well as humans.
What do you do if you’re bitten? If you’ve been bitten by a suspected rabid dog, you must thoroughly clean the wound with disinfectant and seek urgent medical care.
You will then be given a series of injections to stop infection, including a rabies vaccine to prevent you from getting the disease.
Rabies is an incurable disease and, if left untreated, is fatal.
“Vaccination of our pets is the only way to prevent the spread of rabies,” said Koekemoer. “We all need to be responsible pet owners to protect one another.”
4 Paws and a Tale Rescue is a Scottburgh-based animal care NPO that feeds, shelters and provides medical care for stray animals. The team of volunteers is committed to prevent abuse of animals, and works to re-home rescued dogs and cats to loving homes around KwaZulu-Natal.
To find out more about 4 Paws and a Tale Rescue, visit www.4pawsandatalerescue.co.za or call Nicky at 084 6265508.
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