Rabies Alert
RABIES OUTBREAK
On the 23 August 2021, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services confirmed that they had received lab results confirming rabies in two dogs in Khayelitsha in the City of Cape Town.
WHAT MEASURES HAS EARTHPET IMPLEMENTED
Personnel from EarthPet will wear gloves when collecting carcasses and will be vaccinated against Rabies. F10 disinfectant will continuously be used to disinfect our vehicles, gloves, and shoes before entering a practice/NPO and after leaving it. Please make sure all carcasses are wrapped/sealed accordingly.
PET VACCINATIONS
Pet owners are encouraged to be vigilant and to take their pets to their private veterinarian or animal welfare organization to make sure their rabies vaccinations are up to date. An animal in an enclosed yard is still at risk and must be vaccinated.
BE CAUTIOUS
Please be cautious when handling any carcasses or animals that showed/ are showing neurological symptoms. All EarthPet staff will be vaccinated against Rabies, and we encourage those working with animals (especially welfare) to do the same.
INCREASE SURVEILLANCE
We encourage veterinary practices and NPOs to increase surveillance in their practices and organizations for any signs or symptoms of Rabies, particularly in welfare animals. Please report even the slightest concern to the relevant authorities.
CARCASS COLLECTION FORMS
Please make sure to fill in our carcass collection forms as accurately as possible. These forms notify us of any potentially harmful & infectious carcasses and therefore are vital for the safety of our personnel.
