While rabies and rabid seals in the Western Cape have made national headlines in recent months, rabies in dogs continues to be a major problem in KZN.
As the festive season is about to kick off and many residents set off on road trips for the holidays, the Rabies Awareness Body in eShowe emphasised the need for heightened vigilance.
“Stay away from stray animals and do not pick up or take home animals you don’t know.
“We cannot emphasise this enough – all too often a person has picked up a stray animal with the best of intentions, only to find that the animal develops rabies and the whole family has been put at risk,” said the organisation on its Facebook page.
According to an infographic published by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development earlier this year, canine rabies remains a problem in KZN.
Symptoms of rabies in dogs include aggression, disorientation, excess saliva, continuous howling or weakness.
“If you notice any dogs acting abnormally, please keep your distance and report to local authorities,” said the Rabies body in eShowe.
Annual vaccinations against rabies not only protect pets, and your family by extension, against this disease, but is also a legal requirement for both dogs and cats.
