In high-risk regions for rabies, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development has warned locals and tourists to be vigilant.
In a statement released on Monday, the agency said that rabies is prevalent in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces, as well as along the border between the Free State province and Lesotho.
“The coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape are a particularly high risk for rabies. The public is advised not to approach, touch or pick up stray dogs and cats from these areas for whatever purpose.
“When picking up stray animals and homing them, you could aid the spread of rabies to other areas and provinces, and put your life and that of your family at risk,” the department warned.
The government has urged individuals to report stray animals to local animal welfare authorities and assist these organisations in caring for these animals.
“Remember that rabies may occur anywhere in South Africa and therefore, avoid handling animals that you do not know. Rabies is a very serious, mostly fatal zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be passed from infected animals to humans.
“Any mammal can become infected with rabies, but the biggest threat to human health is infected dogs and cats,” the department said.
When an infected animal bites, scratches, or licks a human, it transmits the rabies virus via its saliva.
Animals afflicted with rabies may exhibit a variety of behavioural changes, ranging from spontaneous assaults to excessive friendliness or even drowsiness.
Infected animals may drool excessively, be unable to swallow, incessantly vocalise (barking, whining, howling, etc.), exhibit strange behaviour, and sometimes become violent, or they may look feeble and unresponsive.
The illness affects the brains of both animals and people, and once clinical symptoms appear, there is no cure, and it is deadly in every instance.
“Therefore, if you suspect that you have been exposed to an animal that may have rabies, it is critically important to wash the wound very well with soap under running water and to immediately seek preventative treatment at your nearest healthcare facility. Doing this can save your life,” the department said.
»Government warns local residents and holidaymakers to be alert in rabies high risk areas«