Limpopo has embarked on a major drive to encourage pet owners to have their animals vaccinated against rabies, free of charge, following an outbreak of the disease.

Provincial health and social development spokesperson Sophy Sekole said the department, along with the Department of Agriculture, “is going all out” on roadshows, radio educational programmes and adverts, including the distribution of posters and pamphlets.”

In the past five months, 21 people have died after being bitten by infected animals and 48 animals were confirmed to have the disease.

“This is by far the worst rabies outbreak. All 21 people who died could not be saved by treatment,” she said. The last confirmed case of rabies in humans was in 1989, when only one case was reported.

Dr Lucas Mampane, provincial Head of Veterinary Services, has blamed the surge in reported rabies cases on the drought last year. He said the drought forced wild animals to look for wa-ter and food closer to villages.

“Wild animals, especially jackals, came to the villages and started competing with dogs for food. Bites from the jackals infected the dogs, most of which were not vaccinated. We have had an annual average of 30 animal cases per year. In the past five months alone, we have had 48 confirmed cases. This is really scary,” he said.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brains of animals and people. It is passed on through the saliva that accompanies a bite.

The Vhembe District Municipality had the most reported cases, with 37 infected animals and 17 infected people.

Dr Mampane said most infected animals were dogs, but some were cattle. He urged people to vaccinate their pets and advised those bitten by animals to immediately rinse the wound with lots of water and soap or disinfectant and then seek medical attention.

The main symptoms of the disease is a change in behaviour.

“Domestic animals can become aggressive while wild animals may become tame,” said Dr Mampane. Common signs are aggression, attacking without provocation or warning, profuse salivation, biting at imaginary objects, wandering aimlessly, inability to swallow, eating soil and foreign objects like sticks, choking, difficulty in walking and paralysis.