Make sure your pets are vaccinated this World Rabies Day
Amanzimtoti SPCA brings about awareness of rabies ahead of World Rabies Day.
AS World Rabies Day approaches on September 28, Amanzimtoti SPCA shared important information in the ongoing fight against the deadly disease.
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Amanzimtoti SPCA’s Michelle Hannan explained that rabies is a zoonotic disease, transmissible between animals and humans and spread through saliva.
“This usually occurs via a bite wound inflicted by an infected animal, although scratches and even licks may also pose a risk. More than 59 000 people die from rabies every year, 99% of which are a result of exposure to an infected domestic dog. This means that a person dies every nine minutes from rabies,” said Hannan.
The Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) exists to end the inequality that allows neglected communities to continue to suffer from the ancient and terrifying, but completely preventable disease.
Rabies and dogs
- Man’s best friend, the domestic dog, poses the biggest public health threat in terms of rabies. The vast majority of human rabies is as a result of exposure to a dog with rabies.
- By eliminating rabies in dogs, nearly all human rabies deaths can cease.
- Dogs suffer severe symptoms from rabies including increases aggression, lethargy, paralysis, hypersalivation, abnormal vocalisation as well as fever, extreme behavioural changes and a loss of appetite.
- Dogs also suffer their long-standing association with rabies, however, they are a victim of the disease as well. Improving dog welfare through community awareness, population management and effective rabies vaccination strategies contributes towards eliminating rabies.
Where to vaccinate your pet for free
Doonside Veterinary Clinic is celebrating World Rabies Day by providing free rabies vaccinations from September 28 until October 2. It is by appointment only. Contact 031 903 2427 to book your pet’s vaccination.
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