- City officials have urged Deep South residents to stay vigilant after a confirmed rabies case led to the euthanasia of two dogs in Capri.
- State veterinarians are investigating the source of the infection, which is rare in the Western Cape, and considering emergency vaccination clinics.
- Residents are advised to update their pets’ rabies vaccinations and report any suspicious animal behavior immediately.
City officials are urging Deep South residents to be on high alert after a confirmed case of rabies led to the euthanasia of two dogs in Capri last week.
According to a statement, state vets are working to determine the source of the infection as rabies infections in dogs are rare in the Western Cape.
“Officials are investigating one confirmed case of rabies and a second suspected case in the Capri community on the Cape Peninsula,” the statement read.
“The dogs were from the same household and as a precautionary measure they had to be humanely euthanised to prevent the potential spread of this serious and often fatal disease. The public is advised to be on high alert.”
Noordhoek vet Dr Karyn Levy notified residents.
The advisory came days after Levy reported the suspected rabies case via social media.
In the notice, she warned residents not to make the information public. “We have a confirmed rabies case in a dog in our area. We were asked not to forward this information just yet while the State vet visits the area and decides on the best plan of action,” read the notice.
State vet
Levy further shared that state vets confirmed the rabies diagnosis on Tuesday 28 May.
“The State vet is busy assessing the whole situation and deciding whether to set up emergency vaccine clinics,” wrote Levy. “We will keep you informed as soon as we know what measures are being taken.”
Levy urged residents not to panic as the rabies incident may be an isolated case.
She additionally advised residents not to approach any unusually vicious animal.
“Rabies is a very scary disease and this is the first known case in our area, but I assure you that the situation is being dealt with expertly and urgently.”
The City of Cape Town further urged the public to be vigilant and cautious of any unusual changes in behaviour in animals, especially dogs.
“Rabies is a highly contagious viral disease that can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected animal or licking of broken skin.”
- Monitor your pets: Keep a close eye on your pets for any signs of unusual behaviour such as aggression, excessive drooling, paralysis or difficulty swallowing.
- Update rabies vaccinations: Ensure that your dogs’ rabies vaccinations are up to date. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of rabies and protect both your pets and your family and is required by law.
- Avoid stray animals: Avoid contact with stray or wild animals and do not approach or attempt to handle any animal showing signs of aggression or illness.
- Report suspected cases: If you suspect any animal in the community may be infected with rabies, please report it to your local state veterinarian immediately.
- If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal that you think may have rabies, seek medical attention immediately.
Rabies is highly preventable through vaccination.
Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning humans can get the disease from animals.
In South Africa, rabies is an endemic disease and its common carriers include honey badgers, bat-eared foxes, jackals, meerkats and mongooses as well as feral and domestic cats and dogs.
The virus is transmitted through contact in saliva from close contact with an infected animal such as bites, scratches or even licks on broken skin and mucous membranes which can transmit the virus.
Rabies vaccination of domestic dogs and cats is mandatory by law in South Africa.
Public cautioned to be alert following confirmed dog rabies case.
Officials from various departments within the City and @WesternCapeGov are working closely to monitor and respond to the matter.
See: https://t.co/05lDZBjnzu#CTNews #CommunityServicesandHealth pic.twitter.com/S91rAswzty
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) May 30, 2024
