Seriousness of rabies

EVERY year since 2007, The Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) has declared a World Rabies Day to be on September 28. The aim is to fight this disease globally and to raise awareness of the virus.

Around 55 000 people worldwide suffer painful deaths from rabies every year. In the majority of cases, this is the result of bites or scratches from infected dogs. If the virus is not caught in time, usually when the symptoms show, it is fatal for both animals and humans.

Throughout South Africa, thousands of animals breed within informal settlements where veterinary care is limited. These animals are rarely vaccinated and stand an increased risk of becoming infected with rabies. Often these animals will enter homes where food is available. This could result in the family becoming infected, as well as the possibility of catching other zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transferred from animals to humans).

Fiona Miles, country manager for Four Paws South Africa, says: “We urge all citizens of South Africa to ensure that their animals are vaccinated. This can be done through various animalwelfare organisations if private veterinary care is not available. We also advise that animals be sterilised to limit the number of stray animals which could carry rabies.”

The only protection against rabies is vaccination. Puppies can only be vaccinated against rabies when they are 12 weeks old, after which the vaccination takes another 3 weeks to become fully effective. Fiona Miles

Four Paws South Africa