Umgababa woman survives close encounter with rabies
The woman said the friendly animal's mood changed and it tried to bite her.
AN Umgababa resident’s selfless efforts to try and home a stray dog almost ended on a bad note when she came close to contracting rabies. The woman came into contact with the saliva of an infected animal.
Amanzimtoti SPCA received a call on Wednesday, 10 May from an Umgababa resident who found a stray dog in a bush.
“She told us she wanted to keep the dog,” said Toti SPCA’s Zakhona Mzelemu. “We advised her that the SPCA should go through and fetch it. She would be able to adopt it after tests were run and the dog was sterilised.”
On arrival, the woman said the friendly animal’s mood changed and it tried to bite her. The dog returned to being friendly again. The SPCA staff immediately recognised these as symptoms of the rabies virus.
“The dog did not bite her but it licked her hands profusely, where she had a scratch that was able to be infected with the animal’s saliva,” said Zakhona.
The dog was euthanised and its body was sent to the Department of Agriculture in Pietermaritzburg where tests will be done. The woman was immediately advised to visit a clinic to receive a course of vaccines prohibiting the virus’ transmission to herself. She was warned that the medication is to be taken religiously, and if the course is not complete, the rabies virus will enter her system.
No cure for rabies
“Many people don’t realise how easily rabies is spread, and how, as a human, it’s vitally important that we don’t contract it,” said Zakhona. “For this reason we advise people to call the SPCA to fetch stray dogs, where they can be adopted if they’re healthy and well.”
Zakhona explained that if a rabid dog chewed on a bone and left it, and your dog then chewed the same bone soon after, it could contract the virus.
“There have been so many reported cases of rabies this year already,” said Zakhona.
Zakhona, on behalf of the SPCA and animals lovers worldwide, warns against the deadly virus for both humans and their pets’ sake. If you suspect you have come into contact with the disease or come across an animal that has the virus, call the SPCA or local vet immediately.
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