This disease can affect humans, pets as well as wild animals. 

OFM News’ Elsabé Richard spoke to Ernest Ngoepe from the Agricultural Research Council about what the symptoms are and how it can be prevented…

See PODCAST below

Ngoepe says rabies can affect animals in various ways. He says dogs usually become aggressive while wild animals become tame and not afraid of people. Ngoepe further adds that dogs typically experience an excessive secretion of saliva and at a later stage become paralysed.

Human beings get flu-like symptoms when they’ve contracted the disease. Ngoepe explains as the disease progresses, humans also become aggressive and hallucinate. Furthermore, the person can develop hydrophobia and become reluctant to drinking water. Eventually, the person will go into a coma, become paralysed, and die.

He recommends that when someone is bitten by an animal who is suspected to have the disease, they should wash the wound under running water. Thereafter, medical help should be sought and the person will then receive treatment.

Ngoepe says there is no cure for the disease once clinical signs show. He explains that through vaccination, rabies can be prevented. 

World Rabies Day:

World Rabies Day is celebrated all over the world each year on 28 September. Ngoepe says the main objective of this day is to raise awareness about the impact of rabies in humans and animals, as well as how easy it is to prevent contracting the disease. He says when looking at rabies in South Africa, the main source of the disease is dogs, and he states this could be rectified by means of vaccinations. He urges pet owners to contact their district's Department ofAgriculture and find out when they will be embarking on a campaign to vaccinate animals against rabies in their areas.

OFM News