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Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
All dogs need to be vaccinated against rabies and at the moment the overwhelming majority are not and so are a potential danger to humans, considering that so far this year 13 600 people have already been bitten by dogs, the major route of transmission of rabies to humans.
The Department of Veterinary Services has already recorded five people dying of rabies so far this year, with an average of 455 dog bites reported each week and only 21 percent of these dog bites from vaccinated dogs, so it is running a major vaccination campaign across all provinces.
Director of Veterinary Field Services in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Jairus Machakwa said vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies is the single most important intervention to curb rabies in animals and in humans.
He said 99 percent of humans who contract rabies are bitten by a rabid dog, hence the vital need for people to take or bring their dogs for vaccination. In any case Communities to report early to their nearest veterinary offices if they suspect cases of rabies and strange behaviour from their animals.
“Five human deaths were reported. We have two cases from Harare, one in Mberengwa, one in Chipinge and one in Zvimba. We implore our communities to ensure that dogs and cats are vaccinated in their localities for their safety. Dogs and cats are family members to us, and so we must keep them safe, and we keep safe.
“In terms of rabies vaccine, we have 520 000 doses rabies vaccine for the year. We distributed 372 200 by end of July. All major cities, towns and rural areas will be covered by end of year. Routine vaccinations are done to prevent outbreaks in dogs and cats. In case of outbreaks in other domesticated animals, we do immediate rabies vaccinations of all animals in contact with the rabid animal.
“In case of human bites, a bite victim is referred to the nearest medical centre with a recommendation for post exposure rabies vaccination. A veterinary doctor or paraprofessional gives the recommendation. On that basis, the bitten gets the rabies post exposure prophylaxis according to medical guidelines,” he said. While the Vet Department recommends all cats to be vaccinated, transmission of rabies from a cat is exceptionally rare since a cat is likely to be killed if attacked and bitten by a rapid dog. But the professionals would rather every cat owner was safe than sorry.
The only treatment for rabies in a human is prompt vaccination before the symptoms appear. Once they do appear the prognosis is bad, with death almost certain, hence the need for anyone bitten by a dog to report this immediately so the dog can be checked out and vaccination of the bitten person arranged if there is any doubt.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease, most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and the rabies virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death.
It is incurable but is preventable by vaccination and even a bitten and infected person can be saved if vaccinated soon after being bitten.
Rabies is highly fatal viral infection of the nervous system that affects all warm-blooded animal species including humans. When the virus is transmitted to domesticated carnivores such as dogs and cats, a cycle of transmission begins among domesticated carnivores endangering people.
Online Reporter