THE Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has warned South African citizens and travellers to be aware of the danger of rabies in high-risk areas this December.
While rabies is prevalent in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as the border between South Africa (Free State province) and Lesotho, the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape are particularly high-risk areas.
According to the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), four cases of human rabies were confirmed in the Eastern Cape during October-November 2021.
“The increased number of human cases is related to outbreaks of rabies in domestic dogs in the affected provinces,” the NICD states on its website.
In the Eastern Cape, particularly the Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City districts, more than 400 cases of rabies in dogs have been confirmed for 2021 up to November 18.
Reggie Ngcobo, spokesperson for the DALRRD, has advised the public not to approach stray dogs and cats.
“By 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 handling animals that you do not know.”
Rabies is a very serious zoonotic disease, meaning 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. 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.
Middelburg vet, Dr Hoggie Viljoen, said behavioural deviation is probably one of the best tell-tale signs of possible rabies in animals.
“We commonly see wild animals like a kudu losing its fear of humans, or a generally placid animal like a sheep exhibiting aggressive behaviour.”
The disease is fatal because it affects the brain and, once clinical signs become visible, there is no curative treatment. Therefore, if you suspect that you have been exposed to an animal that may have rabies, it is imperative to wash the wound well with soap under running water and to immediately seek preventative treatment at your nearest healthcare facility.
Doing this can save your life!
