It is compulsory for all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies.

WHAT IS RABIES?
Rabies is a virus disease which attacks the nervous system of all mammals - humans and animals. In South Africa, no person has ever survived once the symptoms of rabies have become apparent.

WHICH ANIMALS GET RABIES?
All warm-blooded mammals can get rabies. Dogs are the most common vector of rabies in the Eastern parts of the country. Cats are less of a problem because they are more agile and so more easily escape attack by other rabid animals. In the north western parts of the country, meerkats and jackals are the most common vectors. Bats, are occasionally implicated as vectors - the so-called Duvenage strain of the virus (named after the person who first contracted it and died). Many animals such as rats and mice are susceptible but have never been known to transmit it. Occasionally, farmers have been infected by domestic stock such as cattle and horses.

HOW IS RABIES TRANSMITTED?
The rabies virus is present in all body fluids of infected animals. It is unable to penetrate unbroken skin but may penetrate through eyes and mucus membranes such as nostrils and the mouth. The most common route of infection is through a bite from an infected animal which introduces saliva laden virus through the inflicted wounds. The virus cannot survive long out of the body. The period is determined by several factors such as temperature and desiccation. The virus is rapidly inactivated by sunlight.

WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE SYMPTOMS?
None. There is an average incubation period of three to eight weeks, during which no symptoms appear. The incubation period - and the likelihood of acquiring the disease - varies depending on the species, the severity of the wound, the amount and strength of the virus, the wound site and the susceptibility of the victim. The South African experience is of incubation periods of up to 6 months in both humans and animals. Death results from respiratory failure.
Suffering is extreme as swallowing is blocked and therefore the apparent excessive salivation: the "foaming at the mouth" syndrome. The animal / human simply cannot swallow its own saliva. Death occurs within 10 days of the onset of symptoms.

SYMPTOMS
There are two forms of rabies, the "furious" and the "dumb" forms. The furious form is the classic mad animal which salivates profusely and attacks anything that moves. The dumb form is when the animal goes quiet, reserved and almost immobile. Wild animals in this state have been found and taken home as they appear to be tame - but they can bite and transmit the disease.

WHAT EXACTLY IS CONSIDERED RABIES EXPOSURE?
In South Africa, particularly on the east and south coasts, any person bitten by an animal which is not known to have been immunised against rabies is considered a risk. If the animal can be located and quarantined for observation, treatment of the victim will be started if considered appropriate. If the animal cannot be located for observation, treatment should be started immediately.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO?
After getting bitten, scratched or licked by a potentially rabid animal, a victim's first line of defence is soap and water. This alone significantly decreases the risk that rabies will develop. The victim should then contact a doctor or go to a hospital or clinic for further treatment. This involves injection of hyperimmune serum and simultaneous vaccination and should be administered as soon as possible after exposure. This is usually repeated at least 3 times at weekly intervals. The modern treatment is relatively painless with no serious side-effects. However, it cannot be declared to have been successful until 6 months after exposure, I have never heard of a treatment failure if instituted early.