WATCH: World Rabies Day

September 28, marks the16th World Rabies Day.

"Whereas everyone should be celebrating the elimination of this potentially fatal but vaccine preventable viral disease, we are instead still commiserating the tragic and avoidable loss of lives," said Allan Perrins, Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS SA) spokesperson.

The AWS SA in Philippi offers year-round free pet rabies vaccination and is urging all pet owners to make the most of this opportunity.

Perrins said, “Rabies is a zoonotic disease which means that people can become infected by a diseased animal. The virus is shed in saliva and spread mainly by the bite, scratch or lick of an infected animal. Rabies affects the brain and is fatal once a person or animal shows clinical signs. Animals infected by Rabies show changes in behaviour and neurological symptoms.

These symptoms include excessive salivation, paralysis, an inability to swallow, excessive vocalisation, aggressiveness or non-responsive behaviour.”