World Rabies Day: ‘Non-vaccination leaves us vulnerable’

As World Rabies Day is marked around the globe today (Wednesday, 28 September 2022), provincial agri departments around the country are once again appealing to pet owners to get their cats and dogs vaccinated against the deadly disease.

This, as the country is already battling animal health crises such as foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza, which have had major economic effects on farmers. Rabies poses a further threat to human life as the disease is deadly to humans and can easily be transmitted from infected animals.

“Rabies is a deadly disease which can affect all warm-blooded animals,” the Western Cape department of agriculture says in a statement. People are most often exposed to the disease when companion animals such as cats and dogs get rabies and become more vulnerable in areas with high densities of unvaccinated animals.

“Vaccination in our impoverished areas is therefore of the utmost importance and a high priority. Of particular concern is the protection of children – children should always be protected from bites from dogs, and this is a plea we make to all community members,” the department says.

Provinces the country conduct regular rabies vaccination drives. This photo was taken during a recent drive in the Northern Cape. Photo: Supplied

The importance of vaccination

Pet vaccination is seen as the most effective way to protect humans from exposure to the potentially deadly virus. Also, according to the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984), vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies is compulsory in South Africa.

All dogs and cats must therefore be vaccinated when they are three months old. A follow-up vaccination is due within one year and thereafter every three years. Animals that travel abroad might need more frequent vaccinations and sometimes also testing to prove effective immunity against the disease.

“Although we have mainly seen the wild animal rabies in the Western Cape, we are extremely vulnerable to the introduction of dog rabies,” Western Cape authorities add, and appeal to residents to get their animals vaccinated.

“A massive rabies awareness and vaccination campaign for dogs and cats coincides with World Rabies Day and during National Rabies Week from 28 September to 2 October. All pet owners are encouraged to make sure all their pets are correctly vaccinated against rabies. Please visit your local veterinarian if in doubt.”

Other provinces also run vaccination drives regularly, and members of the public are encouraged to watch their online platforms for updates on campaigns.