Page 31 - The Villager September 2021

Health & Wellness

cord and brain, the animal will become
paralysed and will eventually die.
In humans, the initial symptoms
include muscular pain, fever, fatigue,
loss of appetite and dizziness. The
victim becomes hydrophobic (fearing
water) and begins to hallucinate. If the
infection was via a wound, a feeling
of pins and needles may be felt at the
site of the wound. As with animals, the
victim will have difficulty swallowing
and will experience excessive
salivation, resulting in drooling. The
pupils become dilated, the victim
becomes irritable and aggressive, and Black-backed Jackal
there’s a feeling of anxiety and mental NEL BOTHA
confusion. There may be nausea and
vomiting, as well as headaches and
a stiff neck. This will be followed by
seizures. In the final stage, the victim
will sink into a coma and die.

TREATMENT
If a person is wounded by a rabid animal,
immediate treatment is essential. Firstly,
the wound must be thoroughly cleaned
with soap and water and flushed out
with water for 10 - 15 minutes before
the disinfectant is applied. Then medical
intervention must be sought in the form
of firstly an immunoglobulin injection
administered straight away, followed
by a course of rabies vaccinations to
prevent the disease from progressing.

HOW WORRIED SHOULD I BE It is mandatory for all dogs to be vaccinated to prevent the spread of rabies RABIESALLIANCE.ORG
ABOUT AN OUTBREAK?
To be honest, when I chatted to our DO NOT TRY TO CATCH RABID vaccination card with you as proof
local vet about the NICD’s report that ANIMALS that the vaccinations are up to date.
there had been three people in the If you see an animal behaving strangely This is especially important if you are
Cradle of Humankind area that had and drooling excessively, do not try to planning to go to KZN, the Eastern
been bitten by rabid animals in June/ interact with it or catch it. Warn anyone Cape, Mpumalanga or Limpopo
July, he was actually quite blasé about close by that the animal may have rabies, Province, as the incidences of rabies
the incidents, saying that rabies tends and try to either take a video or photo of in these areas are higher than in
to come and go in cycles. Obviously, as the animal. Make a note of the location Gauteng.
I was there to have him give my puppy and notify the nearest vet. Remember, it is mandatory for all dogs
her booster vaccination, he was quite and cats to be vaccinated against rabies.
relaxed about it but I’m not so sure that WHAT ABOUT TAKING MY PET ON Ignoring this regulation is seen as a
the woman with her baby on her back, HOLIDAY TO OTHER PROVINCES? public health risk and is considered to be
who was bitten by a rabid honey badger If you are planning to take your furkid a transgression of the law.
while walking along the Kromdraai on holiday with you, ensure that its For more information, visit:
road, would agree. Fortunately, it was vaccinations are up to date before www.nicd.ac.za/rabies-reported-from-
reported that she was treated timeously. you go – and make sure you take its west-rand-gauteng-province

The Villager • Issue 9 2021 • 29