Pretoria – The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says it is compulsory for all domestic pets to be vaccinated against rabies, and failure to do so is illegal and a public health risk.
“All dogs and cats over the age of three months that have not been vaccinated for rabies this year must be vaccinated. The public can choose between having the vaccination of their pets done by their private veterinarian or by the State,” the department said.
It warned that the presence of rabies in an area must always be considered as extremely serious.
This follows the recent attack by a cat on two people in Rosashof in the Emfuleni area, Gauteng. The cat, which bit two people, has been put down after it was found to have been infected with rabies.
This was a previously very friendly cat that was fed by the same two people on a daily basis.
The Vanderbijlpark/Sasolburg and Districts SPCA was called in, and the cat attacked and bit an SPCA inspector on the foot. The cat was taken to the SPCA facility where it was humanely euthanized.
By this time, the cat showed these symptoms: behavioural changes – cat became very aggressive; excessive vocalisation; biting of the cat carrier; and drooling of saliva.
Tests were conducted and returned positive for rabies.
The people that were bitten are on rabies post exposure treatment, with the two admitted in hospital.
This is the first case of rabies in a pet in Emfuleni in the last seven years.
Symptoms of rabies
Rabies is a disease affecting the brain and can lead to the death of the person or animal involved. Symptoms vary widely and include: behavioural changes, aggressiveness and paralysis.
Symptoms can occur from seven days to six months after being affected with the virus. The virus occurs in great numbers in the saliva of rabid (i.e. an infected animal showing symptoms of rabies) animals.
The department urged members of the public to avoid touching or caressing a strange, injured or sick animal.
Any person, who has been bitten by a strange animal, should immediately contact their local State veterinarian or local health authority.
Vaccination campaign
In order to ensure that there is a high degree of immunity against rabies amongst the pet population; the Gauteng Veterinary Services will have a booster vaccination campaign.
It will take place on the 2 December at 9:30am to 4pm at Barrage SAPS, Noord Vaal Community Hall on R42 Mullerstuine, and Roads and Storm Water Emfuleni Local Municipality Offices 84 Acia Road Louisrus.
There is no cost to the pet owner for this service.
People living in areas including Rosashof, Nanescol, Gladwood, Rietspruit, Mullerstuine, Stephanopark, Northdene, Vaalview, Ardenwold, Mooiwater, Vaalfontein, Louisrus, Lochvaal, Barrage, Kaalplaats, Mirravaal, Noordloch, Boschdraai and Theoville are encouraged to bring their pets for vaccination / revaccination.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services is confident that with the co-operation of all role players, including the Emfuleni Local Municipality, other animal welfare organisations, as well as the public, this situation can soon be brought under control. – SAnews.gov.za
