Dogs are not the only animal that can transmit rabies to humans, although this is the most common cause of human rabies. Livestock, cats, wildlife, especially, mongooses and bats are all potential carriers of the disease and new concerns have been raised after a Cape Fur Seal tested positive for rabies.
“KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, North West and Limpopo have seen the lion’s share of documented rabies cases in recent years,” said Dr Pete Vincent of Netcare Medicross Tokai, “yet the detection of animal rabies in Cape Town is an important reminder that all animal bites should be medically assessed for rabies risk. Greater public awareness of rabies and ongoing vigilance is needed throughout South Africa.
“Previously, seal bites have been considered low risk for rabies, however recent developments indicate the urgent need for post-exposure prophylaxis and antibiotics, as advised by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases [NICD].”
The virus is spread through the saliva of infected animals, either when they bite or when their saliva comes into contact with an open wound or the eyes, nose or mouth of another animal or an individual.
“Anyone who is bitten by an animal should always seek emergency medical care, no matter how small the wound is,” says Mande Toubkin, Netcare’s general manager for emergency, trauma, transplant, and corporate social investment, “for an assessment, a rabies risk screening with possible tetanus immunisation as treatment for potential exposure to the virus that causes rabies must start as soon as possible.”
The most important step for anyone who is bitten is immediately to clean the wound with soap and clean running water for 10 minutes to help wash as much of the virus away as possible, then seek medical care.
“Even if the wound is not bleeding badly, there should be no delay in seeking treatment,” Toubkin says. “Rabid animals may be aggressive or even over-friendly. This is abnormal behaviour for the species and they are therefore more likely to bite other creatures and humans. Cows with rabies may look as if they are choking, and wild animals such as bucks may display unusual behaviour, such as coming closer to humans they are not habituated to. However, noticeable signs of rabies are not always present, and so a medical assessment is essential.”
She points out that any domesticated animal that bites a human that does not have a complete and current record of vaccinations could pose a rabies risk to humans and other animals.
“Teach adults and children not to approach animals they do not know, and not to provoke any animal. It is especially important not to feed wildlife or approach animals that are wild, and be sure to have your dogs, cats and other domesticated animals vaccinated yearly for rabies, as required.”
Netcare’s National Trauma Injury Prevention Programme (NTIPP) aims to reduce the risk of healthy people experiencing traumatic injuries through educational initiatives and sharing practical advice to promote safer behaviours. This includes a partnership with the Global Alliance on Rabies Control (GARC) on an informative booklet on safety around animals, which is supported by the World Health Organization. Download it for free in isiZulu; isiXhosa; Afrikaans; Shona and English.
“As far as possible, keep pets away from wild or stray animals,” Toubkins cautions. “This not only helps to protect your family and your animals, but also contributes to breaking the cycle of rabies transmission to animals in the wild that cannot be vaccinated.”
Vincent notes that post-exposure vaccination for rabies usually involves a series of injections for a period of up to a month. “If treatment commences as soon as possible, and the full course is correctly administered, humans exposed to rabies will almost certainly not develop the disease. This is the only chance of preventing the progression of the virus, as once a person develops clinical signs of rabies, there is no cure, and the condition is invariably fatal.
“The good news is that rabies infection in humans is preventable. With timeous treatment and adherence to the recommended precautions, we can all protect ourselves against this disease.”
What to do in the event of potential rabies exposure
- Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water for at least 10 minutes.
- Consult a doctor, clinic, or hospital emergency department immediately.
- If there is a potential rabies risk, a series of rabies vaccinations is needed. Post-exposure prophylaxis must start as soon as possible after the bite.
- Depending on the severity of the injury, your doctor may also inject rabies immunoglobulin into the wound. Rabies immunoglobin is available only at certain major hospital centres, although this can be administered in the first week following the bite.
- Keep a record of the dates of each rabies vaccination and complete the course as medically instructed.
