Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but the disease is preventable.
Ahead of World Rabies Day on 28 September, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is urging South Africans to protect their families and pets through vaccination, awareness and quick action following possible exposure.
This year’s World Rabies Day theme, “Stronger Together”, puts the focus on collaboration, with FOUR PAWS calling for a One Health approach to help eliminate human deaths caused by dog-mediated rabies.
The organisation says South Africa will only reach the global goal of Zero Human Dog-Mediated Rabies Deaths by 2030 if communities, vets, doctors, government and animal welfare organisations work together.
Rabies remains a risk in South Africa
Rabies remains endemic in parts of South Africa, with domestic dogs responsible for the majority of human exposures.
Children remain among those vulnerable to animal bites.
“Rabies is a clear example of why human health and animal welfare cannot be separated. Protecting animals through vaccination and sterilisation protects people and contributes to healthier, safer communities,” says Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS South Africa.
Current guidance from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirms that rabies occurs in all nine provinces, while most human rabies cases in South Africa are associated with exposure to domestic dogs.
What does One Health mean?
The One Health approach recognises the connection between human health, animal health and the environment.
When it comes to rabies prevention, that means collaboration between the different sectors involved in animal vaccination, human healthcare, surveillance and public education.
“The One Health approach recognises that our wellbeing is interconnected. To eliminate rabies, we must continue strengthening collaboration across all sectors involved in prevention, data gathering and education,” adds Miles.
Routine pet vaccinations, responsible pet ownership, sterilisation and community awareness all form part of efforts to reduce the risk.
5 things you can do to help prevent rabies
FOUR PAWS is encouraging South Africans to use the lead-up to World Rabies Day to take action.
1. Check your pet’s rabies vaccinations
Make sure your dogs and cats are up to date with their rabies vaccinations.
Vaccinating dogs and cats against rabies is required by law in South Africa and remains one of the most important ways to protect animals and reduce the risk of human exposure.
2. Support vaccination and sterilisation campaigns
Support or volunteer for vaccination and sterilisation drives taking place in your community.
These initiatives provide opportunities to protect animals while supporting wider community efforts against rabies.
3. Teach children how to interact safely with animals
Teach children how to approach and interact with animals safely and not to touch stray or unknown dogs.
4. Know what to do after a bite or scratch
Any bite or scratch from a potentially infected animal needs urgent attention.
Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical care.
Do not wait for symptoms to appear before getting help.
5. Report suspected rabies cases
Report animals suspected of having rabies to your local veterinarian or relevant authorities and share accurate prevention information within your community.
Do not attempt to approach or capture an animal suspected of having rabies yourself.
Why vaccinating your pets matters
The NICD says all dogs and cats in South Africa must be vaccinated against rabies.
Current September 2026 guidance states that the first rabies vaccination is given at 12 weeks of age, followed by a booster. Further boosters are then required according to the applicable vaccination schedule, with more frequent vaccination strongly advised in high-risk areas.
Vaccinating pets does more than protect an individual dog or cat. High vaccination coverage also helps create a protective barrier between rabies and the people living within communities.
What should you do if an animal bites or scratches you?
If you are bitten, scratched or exposed to saliva from an animal suspected of having rabies, wash the affected area immediately and seek medical attention.
Rabies infection following exposure can be prevented through prompt post-exposure prophylaxis.
Once clinical symptoms of rabies develop, however, the disease is fatal.
That makes prevention and immediate action following possible exposure essential.
As FOUR PAWS reminds South Africans this World Rabies Day, protecting animals also means protecting people, and ending rabies requires everyone to be stronger together.
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