Two cases of rabies have been picked up in the East London area by the Nahoon Bird and Animal Clinic which urged the public to be on the alert.
Both dogs infected by the dangerous virus, which attacks the brain and spinal cord, were found on the outskirts of East London on Wednesday.
Veterinarian Dr Edward Wood, who works at the clinic, said: “The incidents in the East London area appear to be increasing, as they were from outlying areas brought to local veterinary practices, displaying various symptoms of both form of rabies.”
He said though the virus was preventable and treatable if caught in its early stages, once the symptoms appeared, the virus became life-threatening.
“Rabies is secreted in saliva, so it’s most often passed through a bite wound from an infected animal. When a bite breaks the skin, the virus can enter the bloodstream.
“It can also pass through an open wound that is exposed to the saliva of an infected animal, usually by licking.”
He said the disease was prevalent in the former Transkei but it was rare that cases were found in East London.
The symptoms include hypersalivation and a drooping jaw.
“There is no cure; confirmation of diagnosis is done on a brain specimen, and so suspected cases are euthanised. All cats and dogs are required by law to be vaccinated.
“An animal does not survive once symptoms are present. The incubation period varies from weeks to months and sometimes years,” he said.
“All mammals are susceptible. People who are regularly in contact with unknown or stray animals should vaccinate. This can be done by a general practitioner. Antibody testing is conducting annually. Vaccination costs about R250,” Wood said.
“If your pet is bitten by another animal and you’re worried about rabies, pay close attention to their behaviour and call your vet immediately if you have reason to suspect rabies.”
Department of rural development & agrarian reform spokesperson Masiza Mazizi said vaccination of pets was done at outbreak points.
“The outbreak raises awareness of the danger of this viral disease and lends support to the national and global target of eradicating rabies by 2030.
“According to the Animal Disease Act 35 of 1984, rabies is a controlled disease and all confirmatory results are sent to the state veterinary services irrespective of who submits the sample,” Mazizi said.
He said this allowed the state to embark on mass vaccination of pets in a 5-10km radius around the point of positive rabies cases.
“The department will embark on free pet vaccination programme immediately in the areas concerned.
“On an annual basis, the department embarks on a three-month rabies awareness and vaccination campaign which is open for participation from all pets owners.”
Mazizi said the annual rabies vaccination campaign would start on July 1 2021 and culminate on World Rabies Day on September 24.
Founder of the Buckaroo Project, Marlene Neumann, said they were still doing 60 sterilisations a month focusing on Newlands, Ducats, Chintsa East, Brakfontein and Collondale.
Each animal sterilised by the SPCA or private vets, is returned to its owner with dog food, a kennel, a blanket and a water bowl.
“We give the dogs a five-in-one injection which prevents them from contracting the virus.
“Our pets need attention more than ever, especially during Covid-19, as some pet owners might have lost their jobs and cannot continue to maintain the health of their pets.
“So far we have sterilised 1,700 dogs in the townships, and we are planning to continue saving the animals' lives,” Neumann said.
Neumann said they take in about 600kg of dog food every month “and we deal with many injured animals so a lot of money and effort goes into that too”.
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