Rabies plagues Gauteng region

28 June 2016 - 08:46 By SHAUN SMILLIE

Health authorities in Gauteng are fighting a rabies outbreak in the Muldersdrift area. Residents have been asked to inoculate their pets. It is feared that infected jackal will pass on the disease to dogs in informal settlements in the area. So far, several jackal, a cow, and a great dane have contracted rabies.Malcolm de Bude, the chief director of veterinary services at the Department of Agriculture, warned that the viral disease was easily transferred from jackal to dog .Once a dog is infected, he said, it would travel up to 15km a day, biting and infecting other animals.Lucille Blumberg, the deputy director of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, said in one incident a jackal came into a hotel in the area and scratched a person.The person was vaccinated, and should not contract rabies.Once rabies sets in, there is no cure for either animal or man.Said Blumberg: "It is important that people be aware of wild animals that suddenly change behaviour and pet owners must ensure their animals are up to date with their rabies vaccinations."..

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