Page 30 - Dainfern Precinct Living 7 2021
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STORY TITLE& WELLNESS
HEAL TH
bitten by rabid animals in June/
July, he was actually quite blasé
about the incidents, saying that
rabies tends to come and go in
cycles. Obviously, as I was there
to have him give my puppy her
booster vaccination, he was quite
relaxed about it but I’m not so
sure that the woman with her
baby on her back, who was bitten
by a rabid honey badger while
walking along the Kromdraai
road, would agree. Fortunately,
it was reported that she was
treated timeously.
DO NOT TRY TO CATCH
RABID ANIMALS
If you see an animal behaving
strangely and drooling
excessively, do not try to interact
It is mandatory for all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies. with it or catch it. Warn anyone
causing it to become aggressive. nausea and vomiting, as well as close by that the animal may
In Paralytic Rabies, the animal headaches and a stiff neck. This have rabies, and try to either take
becomes lethargic and may will be followed by seizures. In a video or photo of the animal.
withdraw to a quiet, dark place. the final stage, the victim will Make a note of the location and
As the disease takes hold, the sink into a coma and die. notify the nearest vet.
animal will struggle to walk and
will have seizures. When the TREATMENT WHAT ABOUT TAKING
virus attacks the spinal cord If a person is wounded by MY PET ON HOLIDAYS TO
and brain, the animal will a rabid animal, immediate OTHER PROVINCES?
become paralysed and will treatment is essential. Firstly, If you are planning to take your
eventually die. the wound must be thoroughly furkind on holiday with you,
cleaned with soap and water ensure that its vaccinations
In humans, the initial symptoms and flushed out with water are up to date before you go
include muscular pain, fever, for 10 - 15 minutes before – and make sure you take its
fatigue, loss of appetite and disinfectant is applied. Then vaccination card with you as
dizziness. The victim becomes medical intervention must be proof that the vaccinations are
hydrophobic (fearing water) sought in the form of firstly up to date. This is especially
and begins to hallucinate. If the an immunoglobulin injection important if you are planning to
infection was via a wound, a administered straight away, go to Kzn, the Eastern Cape,
feeling of pins and needles may followed by a course of rabies Mpumalanga or Limpopo
be felt at the site of the wound. vaccinations to prevent the Province, as the incidences of
As with animals, the victim disease from progressing. rabies in these areas are higher
will have difficulty swallowing than in Gauteng.
and will experience excessive HOW WORRIED SHOULD I
salivation, resulting in drooling. BE ABOUT AN OUTBREAK? Remember, it is mandatory
The pupils become dilated, To be honest, when I chatted to for all dogs and cats to be
the victim becomes irritable our local vet about the NICD’s vaccinated against rabies.
and aggressive, and there’s a report that there had been Failure to vaccinate domestic
feeling of anxiety and mental three people in the Cradle of pets is illegal and is considered
confusion. There may be Humankind area that had been a public health risk.
For more information, visit:
www.nicd.ac.za/rabies-reported-from-west-rand-gauteng-province
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