Pet owners must prioritise rabies shots

AMID a provincial flare-up of rabies, Zululand vets and animal shelters have urged pet owners to ensure all pets are

regularly vaccinated against the disease. Of the 33 confirmed rabies cases in KZN, two fell under the King Cetshwayo

District – one in uMhlathuze Municipality and the other in neighbouring uMlalazi Municipality.

‘In suspected rabies cases, people are advised to inform local animal personnel such as the state vet, a private vet, animal health technicians or the SPCA so the cases can be attended to,’ said Community Service Vet Dr David Chelopo, who is based at the Owen Sitole Agricultural College just outside Empangeni.

‘While there is evidence of a flare- up, there is no need to panic and, to my knowledge, there have been no human casualties in our province.’ Chelopo advised people who are bitten or scratched by a dog or cat to visit their local healthcare service to begin a rabies vaccination programme.

ALSO READ: Rabies flares up in the district again

‘There is no cure for rabies, but the disease is preventable if the necessary prevention strategies are adhered to,’ he

said. People, particularly those who go out cycling, running or walking on the outskirts of town or in the rural areas where stray dogs are prevalent, are advised to report dog bite incidents to the local SPCA and seek rabies prevention treatment.

Rabies is caused by a virus which affects all mammals and, in South Africa, mongooses and canines – dogs and jackals  are the primary hosts of the disease.

The disease is also transmitted by bats, but has reportedly never been prevalent in South Africa