FEARS THAT 19 PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE RABIES

Some of the dead chickens that were allegedly killed by rabid dogs at a Msibi homestead.

MANZINI – It is feared that 19 people who ate some of the 152 chickens killed by rabid dogs may have been infected.

The dog that attacked the chickens has been confirmed to have been rabid. Some senior veterans who were interviewed on the matter said rabies was found in the animal’s saliva.
They said if the dogs killed the chickens by biting them, there were high possibilities that the birds were infected too.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director in the Veterinary Services Department, Nhlanhla Shongwe said his advise to the people who ate the chickens was that they should see a medical doctor as soon as possible.

He said he could not tell whether they were infected or not but the safest precaution for the people to take was to see a medical doctor.
“Rabies is found in the animal’s saliva and it is transmitted through a bite. So in this case it is highly likely that the chickens were infected during the attack and it was not safe for people to eat them,” the deputy director said.

Shongwe said it was now out of their hands but only medical doctors could dictate if the people were infected or not. He said symptoms take time to manifest themselves. He said it could take two to 10 weeks.
“The reason I say the people who ate the chickens which were allegedly killed by the rapid dogs should see a medical doctor is that once the symptoms are visible, there will no way they can get help.

“In fact, this applies to all animals, not only human beings alone.
“Once signs of rabies are visible to any animal, there is no help,” Shongwe said.
He said his office has already discussed the matter with the deputy director of Health Services.

Two dogs allegedly attacked and killed a total of 152 chickens from different homesteads in four days at Nhlambeni last week.

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