The department of agriculture, land reform and rural development has issued a warning to holiday travellers to be careful of rabies this festive season. Individuals who love to take home stray cats and dogs have especially been warned as the outcome of rabies are fatal.
In a press release, the agricultural department reiterated that rabies is a very serious, and mostly fatal zoonotic disease. This means that it can be passed from infected animals to humans.
“Any mammal can become infected with rabies, but the biggest threat to human health is infected dogs and cats. The rabies virus is transmitted through saliva of an infected animal when it bites, scratches or licks a person.”
Hotspots and symptoms
Rabies is particularly common in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as the border between Free State Province and Lesotho.
The coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape are a particularly high risk for rabies.
Animals that are infected with rabies may show changes in behaviour, but these vary widely from unprovoked attacks to becoming overly friendly or just appearing sleepy.
Other visible signs include:
- drooling a lot;
- not being able to swallow;
- continuously vocalise (barking, whining, howling etc.);
- show odd behaviour and sometimes become aggressive;
- or, on the contrary, they may just appear weak and unresponsive.
ALSO READ: Podcast: Here’s how to prevent and treat rabies
Avoid homing stray animals
Rabies affects the brain in both animals and humans. What makes this even more scary is the fact that there is no treatment for the disease at this point in time. Resulting in 100% fatality.
“Therefore, if you suspect that you have been exposed to an animal that may have rabies, it is critically important to wash the wound very well with soap under running water. And immediately seek preventative treatment at your nearest healthcare facility. Doing this can save your life,” said the department.
Rather than feeling the need to take stray animals home, people are encouraged to report animals.
“When picking up stray animals and homing them, you could aid the spread of rabies to other areas and provinces and put your life and that of your family at risk.
“People are encouraged to rather report stray animals to local welfare authorities and to support these organisations in caring for such animals. Remember that rabies may occur anywhere in South Africa and therefore avoid the handling of animals that you do not know,” the department said.
ALSO READ: Podcast: Prevent rabies with vaccination
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