The Department says rabies is particularly common in the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, as well as on the border between the Free State Province and Lesotho.
The coastal areas of KZN and EC are at particularly high risk for rabies - the public is advised not to approach, touch or pick up stray dogs and cats from these areas for whatever purpose.
People are encouraged to rather report stray animals so as to not spread rabies to other areas or provinces.
Rabies is a very serious, mostly fatal zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be passed from infected animals to humans.
Any mammal can become infected with rabies, but the biggest threat to human health is infected dogs and cats.
The rabies virus is transmitted through saliva of an infected animal when it bites, scratches or licks a person.
Animals that are infected with rabies may show changes in behaviour, but these vary widely from unprovoked attacks to become overly friendly or just appearing sleepy.
They may drool a lot, may not be able to swallow, continuously vocalise (barking, whining, howling etc.), show odd behaviour and sometimes become aggressive or, on the contrary, they may just appear weak and unresponsive.
In animals and humans, the disease affects the brain and once clinical signs become visible, there is no curative treatment, and it is 100% fatal.
If you suspect that you have been exposed to an animal that may have rabies, it is critically important to wash the wound very well with soap under running water and to immediately seek preventative treatment at your nearest healthcare facility.
