The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development's Veterinary Service is calling on all dog owners to vaccinate their animals against rabies.The call is part of the international Rabies Week campaign that will be marked in the Northern Cape fom 19 September under theme "Helping to make Rabies History".
Rabies is fatal and viral disease which is mainly transmitted to human by the bite of an infected animal as the virus is found in the saliva. The main transmitters are animals such as pets (e.g. dogs and cats) , Livestock (cattle, goats and sheep) and Wild Animals (e.g. mongoose, bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal and bats). The disease causes severe symptoms in humans and is highly fatal.
Suspected cases in animals must be reported to the nearest state veterinarian or animal health technician should common symptoms such as the following be noticed;
The most common signs of the disease are:
- Behavioural changes (e.g. wild animals appear tame and domestic animals become aggresssive).
- Salivation and abnormal vocalization;
- Incoordination and
- Biting attacks human or other animals
Furthermore in its sffort to educate various communities across the province about the disease the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development's Veterinary Service in conjunction with the Department of Education will be hosting the finals of Rabies School Competition on the 19th September 2009. A Science workshop set to discuss matters related to rabies will also be held in Upington.
- Behavioural cahnges (e.g. wild animals become tame and domestic animals become aggressive)
- Salivation and abnormal vocalisation
- Incoordination
- Biting humans and other animals
Any person who is bitten by a dog or animal is been advised to
- Wash wound well for at least five minutes with water and soap
- Immediate consult a medical practitioner
- Do not wait for symptoms (headaches and fever, muscles pains, fear of water mental disorder, difficult swallowing, paraysis, vomiting ,profuse salivation, hoarse voice, irrirability and anxiety.)
How can i protect my dog and cat against rabies?
- Pet owners are compelled by law (Animal Disease Act 35 of 1984) to ensure that their dogs and cats are vaccinated at 3 months of age against rabies,repeated within 12 months (first boosters)
- The pet's vaccination should accompany the animal when traveling.
- The vaccine is available from veterinary clinic or hospital, animal welfare organizations and Veterinary Service (state veterinarians and animal health technitians)
- Free rabies vaccination is available at all state veterinary offices.
- Rabies vaccination can also be received from other stakeholders at a cost i.e. Private Veterinarians
