THE DISEASE A battle not yet won

RABIES is transmitted in the saliva of dogs and other mammals, including cats, mongooses, black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes and even goats or cattle.

Once it has entered the bloodstream, it travels along the nerves to the brain and multiplies, causing brain dysfunction and, finally, death.

Up to 55 000 people worldwide die from the virus each year, but it is curable if treated early.

“If treated appropriately within 48 hours of infection, there is a 100 percent success rate,” said Kevin le Roux, rabies project manager for the KZN Agriculture Department.

The members of the Rabies Project, which is cofunded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, administer 500 000 free vaccinations to dogs in needy communities in KZN.

“We still don’t have the capacity to deal with the problem because our staff of 160 are trying to vaccinate about 1.2 million dogs a year, but the incidence in our province has decreased steadily in the past four years,” he said.

In 2007, there were 470 reported cases of rabies in the province. Now there are about 180 a year, according to the vet.

“There has been a significant outbreak in Winterton-bergville and we are prioritising vaccinations there. We are also working with the governments of neighbouring countries to vaccinate their animals. This includes Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique.”

Le Roux stressed parents needed to stop their children from touching or approaching stray dogs.

“They don’t always look aggressive or sick.”

The disease evolves in three stages. The first lasts about two weeks, but can persist for up to six months. The infected dog either shows no symptoms or vague ones, such as changes in barking tone, loss of appetite and lethargy.

This can develop into the so-called “furious stage” – the most dangerous time because infected animals are able to spread the virus. Symptoms include aggression, constant growling and seizures.

The final stage is termed paralytic and is generally characterised by foaming at the mouth or excessive salivation, and an inability to swallow.

People show signs 20 to 60 days after exposure. Symptoms may include headache, fever, nausea and exhaustion. These progress to a state of agitation, outbursts of aggression and muscle spasms.

They typically battle to swallow and develop hydrophobia (irrational fear of water). Left untreated, death is inevitable.