RABIES | Breaking Boundaries | 28 September 2024
Rabies Day and associated activities report
Wêreld-hondsdolheidsdag het vanjaar op 28 September plaasgevind. Uitbrekings van dié siekte in Suid-Afrika neem toe en ons hoor by staatsveearts, dr Alicia Cloete, wat die oorsaak hiervan is. Sy gesels ook oor voorkoming en behandeling.
It is the 18th #WorldRabiesDay! Let us rally together to break boundaries and #EndRabiesNow
You can contribute to #EndRabiesNow by vaccinating your dogs and cats and sharing rabies information with those you love.
#BreakingBoundaries #WRD2024
Comment with your thoughts on #WorldRabiesDay 😊
Breaking boundaries – This advice can save your life.
Rabies is a deadly disease with no cure. It can be transmitted to people by an infected animal’s bite, scratch, or lick.
If a person is bitten, scratched or licked by an animal suspected to have rabies (an unvaccinated animal showing odd behaviour or neurological symptoms), the person needs to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water and seek medical attention immediately.
Post-exposure prophylaxis treatment will involve a series of rabies vaccinations and rabies immunoglobulin being injected into the wound (if the skin has been broken).
While rabies is 99,9% fatal once a person or animal shows clinical signs, it is also 100% preventable.
#BreakingBoundaries #WRD2024 #GlobalAllianceforRabiesControl
Breaking boundaries – Together, against rabies.
Remember that any mammal can become infected with rabies – this includes pets, wildlife, livestock and humans. Wildlife species that can also host rabies include jackals, foxes, mongooses and recently, seals.
Animal rabies occurs in all nine provinces, with dog rabies cycles mainly concentrated in the eastern parts of the country (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape provinces and the eastern Free State border with Lesotho). Dogs and cats are often moved between provinces by travellers, workers, or holiday-goers, which can easily cause a spillover of rabies to any area if these animals are unvaccinated and incubating the disease.
If your dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies, they form a protective barrier for your family and protect you. The same is true if everyone in your community ensures that their dogs and cats are vaccinated.
#BreakingBoundaries #WRD2024 #GlobalAllianceforRabiesControl
Did you know that rabies occurs in all South African provinces? Every pet owner must have their dogs and cats vaccinated to protect both humans and animals against rabies.
The first rabies vaccine is given at 12 weeks (three months) of age, followed by a booster vaccination between one and 12 months later. Thereafter, a booster is required every three years. In high-risk areas, annual vaccination is strongly advised!
Enquire with your local state veterinarian, animal health technician, private veterinarian, or welfare organisation.
#endrabiesnow #rabiesbreakingboundaries #globalrabiesalliance #afrivet
28 September is #WorldRabiesDay! The
theme for this year is: “Breaking Boundaries”.
Remember all mammals can get infected by rabies. The common signs of rabies are: Changes in behaviour and neurological symptoms, which may include the following signs: Excessive salivation, paralysis, inability to swallow, continuous vocalisation, convulsions, aggressiveness, or non-responsive behaviour.
Report any suspected rabid animals immediately to your state or private veterinarian, animal health technician or the police.
Are your dogs and cats up to date with their rabies vaccinations? Protect them and you!
#BreakingBoundaries #WRD2024 #GlobalAllianceforRabiesControl
