eShowe rabies case a stark reminder to vaccinate

THE Rabies Awareness Body in eShowe (Rabies) has issued a warning to all pet owners to keep their animals’ vaccinations up to date as the region continues to see positive cases.

This after a jackal tested positive for the disease within 3km of eShowe town.

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“Unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated pets are a health risk to your family and if in contact with a rabid animal, they will be destroyed,” said the Rabies organisation on its Facebook page Saturday.

They went on to say this is no reason to persecute jackals, and the infected animal likely contracted the disease from a stray rabid dog.

“Some advice for parents/teachers/guardians: we firmly believe that if a child is old enough to talk, they are old enough to learn to tell an adult if they have any scratch or nip from an animal,” said the Rabies organisation .

“The most dangerous for children is the tiniest wound that does not draw any attention.

“Please educate your family, as well as those around you. Educate farm workers.”

What to do in the event of a bite or scratch from any mammal that could have rabies:

1. Wash any scratches or wounds with running water and soap for 10 minutes.
2. Get to a doctor or hospital for a course of 4 vaccinations. Do not let a clinic turn you away – insist on speaking to someone who can advise you about vaccination. If the clinic does not have vaccine, ask them to find out for you the nearest one that does. If you have a bite, you will also need injections of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) into the wound.

You have a right to request an ambulance should you need transport.

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