As World Rabies Day approaches on Saturday, 28th September 2024, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA is calling on all pet owners to ensure their animals are vaccinated, especially as rabies has now become endemic in the Cape Fur Seal population. With 24 confirmed cases of rabies in seals since May 2024, rabies has never been a bigger threat to both human and animal health in Cape Town.
Vaccinate to Protect: Your Pet, Your Family, Your Community
“Rabies is a highly fatal viral disease, and vaccination is the most effective way to prevent it from spreading to humans and animals,” said Dr. Rivona Ramnanan, SPCA Head Veterinarian. “All pet owners have a duty to ensure their pets are vaccinated, as required by the Animal Diseases Act. This is to protect everyone against this deadly virus.” Rabies vaccinations should be administered to pets at three months of age, with a follow-up vaccine due within a year, and subsequent vaccinations every three years.
Unvaccinated animals are at high risk of contracting and spreading rabies, which is mostly transmitted through bites although exposure may also occur through contamination of broken skin or mucous membranes with saliva from an infected animal.
This article was originally published by a capespca.co.za . Read the Original article here. .