Rabies remains endemic in parts of South Africa, with domestic dogs responsible for most human exposures and infections, Fiona Miles, director of FOUR PAWS South Africa, said on World Rabies Day, 28 September, calling for closer work between animal health, public health and environmental agencies under this year's theme, "Stronger Together".

The World Health Organization estimates that about 59,000 people die of rabies each year, 40 percent of them children in Asia and Africa, and dog bites cause almost all human cases. "Protecting animals through vaccination and sterilisation protects people and contributes to healthier, safer communities," Miles said.

Veterinarian Dr Danie Odendaal warned that rabies is a serious risk to cattle in South Africa and that vaccinating pets such as dogs is the most effective way to eradicate it. Symptoms in cattle include weakness or partial paralysis and excessive salivation; he urged owners not to treat suspected cases themselves but to work with a vet, since rabies is a controlled and notifiable disease under the Animal Diseases Act. The report was written by Annelie Coleman.

Photo: Worldwide Veterinary Service / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Source: Farmers Weekly South Africa