The South African government has joined the global community in observing World Rabies Day, an annual awareness campaign aimed at promoting rabies prevention and highlighting progress towards eliminating the disease. This year's observance marks the 20th World Rabies Day, held under the theme "Stronger Together", emphasizing the importance of collaboration among communities, pet owners, veterinary professionals, healthcare workers, government departments, policymakers, and partner organisations in the fight against rabies.
Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp has urged South Africans to play their part in preventing and eliminating rabies by ensuring that their dogs and cats are vaccinated against the deadly disease. He encouraged all dog and cat owners to make sure that their animals are vaccinated against rabies, stating that it can be prevented. The Department of Agriculture said communities can contribute to eliminating rabies by ensuring that their pets are vaccinated and sharing information about the disease with family members and others.
The 2026 World Rabies Day campaign reinforces the importance of the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in preventing and controlling diseases. This approach highlights the need for a collaborative effort to prevent and control diseases like rabies. The department has urged anyone exposed to an animal suspected of having rabies to wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and running water for 10 to 15 minutes and seek immediate medical attention.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear. The virus can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, or when its saliva comes into contact with broken skin or mucous membranes. Post-exposure prophylaxis, which includes a course of rabies vaccinations and, where necessary, the administration of rabies immunoglobulin into or around the wound, can prevent the disease from developing if administered promptly.
According to the Department of Agriculture, vaccinating your pet against rabies is more than responsible pet care; it is an act of protection for your family, your neighbours, and your entire community. The public is encouraged to consult their local state or private veterinarian, animal health technician, or animal welfare organisation for information on rabies vaccination and prevention.
State veterinary office contact details are available on the Department of Agriculture's website, and a list of all registered veterinary facilities is also available online. The department has urged citizens to take responsibility for their pets' health and to report any cases of suspected rabies to the relevant authorities.
The department has noted that while rabies is 99.9% fatal once a person or animal shows clinical signs, it is also 100% preventable. The public is urged to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of rabies and to support the efforts of the government and other stakeholders in eliminating the disease.
Key points
- The 2026 World Rabies Day campaign is held under the theme "Stronger Together".
- The Department of Agriculture urges citizens to vaccinate their pets against rabies.
- Rabies is a deadly viral disease that is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear.
