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The importance of rabies vaccinations has never been more critical. Earlier this year, Gqeberha, a region with the highest incidence of both animal and human rabies cases in South Africa, achieved an impressive milestone by vaccinating 19,842 dogs within just four months.
Commenting on this, Jaisheila Keshav, Head of Animal Health South Africa at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “Rabies is almost always fatal in humans, but its prevention is remarkably simple through dog vaccinations and preventing dog bites.”
Notably, recommendations for rabies vaccinations have evolved to promote more frequent vaccinations for household pets. This shift is rooted in the fact that dogs are the primary source of human rabies deaths, accounting for up to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans. Keshav acknowledges that in South Africa, many animals presumed to be strays actually have owners, making it challenging to vaccinate them without consent.
To address this, the South African Veterinary Association Community Veterinary Clinics (SAVA-CVC) has adopted a unique approach, sending animal health teams door-to-door to vaccinate animals, rather than relying on centralized vaccination campaigns. This approach has proven highly effective.
While there have been no significant breakthroughs in rabies treatment, there have been substantial improvements in rabies surveillance. The campaign was further supported by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control’s (GARC’s) vaccination app, designed to efficiently track animal vaccination rates.
The Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo provinces still experience the highest number of positive rabies cases in animals, leading to the highest incidences of dog-mediated human cases. In regions with elevated positive animal cases, it is strongly recommended that animals be fully vaccinated against rabies annually due to increased environmental risks and associated challenges.
Keshav emphasizes the vital importance of dog owners ensuring their pets are regularly vaccinated.
She says,
The battle against rabies in South Africa is a testament to the remarkable progress that can be achieved when communities, organizations, and individuals come together to protect both humans and animals from a deadly yet preventable disease. The efforts in Gqeberha, driven by innovative vaccination strategies, improved surveillance, and the dedication of professionals serve as a shining example of what can be accomplished. It is a reminder that as we face evolving challenges, the importance of rabies vaccinations has never been more pressing.
By embracing these advancements and staying faithful to the cause of ensuring our pets are regularly vaccinated, we can truly safeguard our communities and our beloved animals from the perils of this preventable illness.
