province
8 September 2007
World Rabies Day was celebrated in Prieska over the weekend (Saturday, 8
September) whereby 200 learners participated in the day's proceedings, which
included a dog show and the demonstration of handling animal bites.
Education and awareness is very important because although rabies is 100
percent preventable, it is also fatal. And once symptoms of this disease
manifest, there is no cure and it will lead to death.
Although a human rabies case has not been reported in the Northern Cape
since 2002, the threat of rabies in the province remains high, especially as an
alarming rate of animal bites continue to be reported. Animal rabies is endemic
throughout South Africa and the disease is currently responsible for the
laboratory confirmed deaths of between 10 and 30 people each year, although it
is preventable with post exposure treatment.
While dogs have long been recognised as the main transmitters of the disease
to people, mongoose and wild cat bites are also common in the Northern Cape.
According to the Northern Cape Department of Health's data, in the past
financial year, four human contacts to positive rabid animals were reported. A
24-year-old farm worker was exposed when an African wild cat scratched and bit
him on the arm. The cat's teeth were clinched to his arm and the cat had to be
killed to get it off.
In another incident, a farmer and two workers handled a suspiciously
behaving pig. The pig started running aimlessly, howling, salivating profusely
and choking. The farmer and workers forced their hands in its throat and the
pig died during the process. The following day, the farmer's cat suddenly
became aggressive and bit its owner.
Another 10 people presented to Gordonia hospital with animal bite exposure
after a meerkat, which was kept as a pet in one of the households, bit 10
people in Wegdraai in the Siyanda district. A further 63 people, mostly from
the Karoo, Namakwa and Frances Baard districts, were exposed to dog bites. The
latest data for this year shows that there have been a total of eight wild cat
bites, four cat bites, two monkey bites and 13 dog bites to date. Eight
contacts of a rabid sheep were also given prophylaxis.
The public is reminded that it is compulsory for all dogs and cats to be
vaccinated at least once every three years. Rabies vaccines are freely
available at all State veterinarian offices. They are also available at all
private veterinarians with the payable consultation fee of R20,00. Furthermore,
anyone bitten by an animal should not delay seeking medical attention.
Issued by: Departments of Agriculture and Health, Northern Cape Provincial
Government
8 September 2007
