Vetnuus | September 2025 43 Do not overlook the importance of dealing with the human contacts of a suspect rabies case. You have to inform your clients that they must contact their medical service provider. Unfortunately, most medical doctors are not equipped to deal with this and often downplay the seriousness and importance of immediate preventative treatment for human contacts. Make sure the authorities at the Department of Health are contacted. Contact the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) hotline for Rabies (0800-212-552) if appropriate steps are not taken by the Department of Health or the attending physician. A Step-by-Step Guide So, when that call comes in, what do you do? Here’s a practical, actionable blueprint to follow: 1. Immediately Isolate the Patient. Your priority is to prevent any further exposure. Isolate the suspect animal in a secure, quiet area. Advise the client not to handle the animal or allow it to interact with other people or animals. 2. Contact the State Veterinarian. Do this immediately. Have a clear, concise history ready: the clinical signs, the date of onset, any potential exposure, and the client’s details. Don’t waste time on a definitive diagnosis; the suspicion is what matters. The State Vet will guide you on the next steps, including quarantine protocols and sample submission. 3. Manage the Client Relationship with Authority and Empathy. This is the hardest part. Explain that rabies is a controlled animal disease and that you are legally required to report it. Be firm but compassionate. Explain that the decision to quarantine or euthanise is not yours, but a legal requirement under the Animal Diseases Act, designed to protect the public, including the owners themselves. Explain the seriousness of the situation without inciting panic, and refer any human exposure concerns to a medical doctor immediately. 4. Practice Meticulous Record-Keeping. This is crucial. From a legal standpoint, if it was not documented, it did not happen. Document every conversation with the client, all clinical observations, the time and date of your call to the State Veterinarian, and the details of the State Vet you spoke to. This paper trail is your best defence should there ever be a complaint or legal claim against you. 5. Secure and Submit the Specimen. Rabies diagnosis in South Africa is primarily a post-mortem process, involving the submission of brain tissue. Do not perform the postmortem and decapitation yourself unless you are requested by the State Veterinarian and you have the correct personal protective equipment. The State Vets usually take control and do the post-mortems themselves. If you are tasked with the transportation of the samples to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute, make sure to use the provided triplepackaging to protect yourself and others from exposure. Shared Responsibility Handling a rabies scare is a stressful and emotional experience. It forces us to confront the grim realities of our profession. But by adhering to the legal and ethical blueprint, we fulfil a higher purpose. Our knowledge and adherence to the law are our most powerful tools. They protect not only the public from a deadly disease but also our own professional integrity and legal standing. By following the rules, we ensure that what could be a tragic public health disaster remains a contained, well-managed event. We are the last line of defence, and it’s our legal and ethical duty to be ready when that call comes in. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at trudie@legalvetservices.co.za v Animal Diseases Act, No. 35 of 1984. Legal Mews
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