Rabies is entirely preventable, yet it still kills approximately 59 000 people annually, mostly in Africa and Asia. Marking World Rabies Awareness Day on 28 September, this article examines the global threat, South Africa’s endemic challenge, and the vaccination guidelines that form the backbone of prevention for both puppies and kittens. 

Save the date! 

World Rabies Awareness Day 

28 September 

Theme: Stronger together 

Rabies is one of the world’s deadliest zoonotic diseases, with an almost 100% fatality rate once clinical symptoms develop. Despite being entirely preventable, rabies still causes ~59 000 human deaths annually, predominantly in Africa and Asia, where limited healthcare infrastructure and inadequate access to vaccines continue to perpetuate infection cycles.¹  

Domestic dogs are responsible for 99% of human rabies cases globally, making canine vaccination the cornerstone of disease prevention and elimination strategies. Children are disproportionately affected, accounting for ~40% of rabies deaths because of their frequent contact with animals and increased vulnerability following bites.¹ 

Rabies is caused by a neurotropic virus transmitted primarily through the saliva of infected animals via bites, scratches, or contamination of broken skin and mucosal surfaces. Following infection, the virus attacks the central nervous system, resulting in progressive encephalitis and death.²  

Clinical disease occurs in two forms: Furious rabies, characterised by agitation, hydrophobia, hypersalivation, and hallucinations, and paralytic rabies, which presents with progressive weakness and paralysis. Initial symptoms are nonspecific and include fever, headache, nausea, and discomfort at the wound site before neurological deterioration rapidly develops. Survival after symptom onset remains exceptionally rare.² 

South Africa continues to face endemic rabies, with domestic dogs serving as the principal reservoir for human infection. Wildlife species such as jackals may also contribute to transmission. Rural communities remain particularly vulnerable due to poor access to healthcare and inconsistent canine vaccination coverage.^1,2  

Effective prevention depends on both pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for high-risk groups and rapid post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following suspected exposure. PEP includes immediate wound washing, rabies vaccination, and where indicated, rabies immunoglobulin administration. When initiated before symptom onset, PEP is virtually 100% effective.³ 

Crash course: South African puppy and kitten vaccination guidelines 

According to the guidelines available on the South African Veterinary Council website, vaccination is essential not only for individual pets, but also for maintaining ‘herd immunity’ and reducing outbreaks of infectious diseases such as canine parvovirus and feline panleukopenia.⁴ 

For puppies, the core vaccines are canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, and rabies. The guidelines recommend starting vaccinations at six-weeks of age because South Africa experiences high levels of parvovirus infection and poor herd immunity.⁴  

Puppies should receive core vaccines at six-, nine-, and 12-weeks of age, with some veterinarians recommending an additional booster at 16-weeks because maternal antibodies may interfere with vaccine effectiveness until that age. ⁴  

Rabies vaccination is legally required from 12-weeks of age, followed by a booster between four- months and one-year of age, and thereafter every three-years. In high-risk environments such as breeding kennels and shelters, vaccination may begin as early as four-weeks using approved high-titer vaccines.⁴  

Optional but highly recommended non-core vaccines include parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica, especially for dogs exposed to kennels, shows, travel, or boarding facilities. Leptospirosis vaccination may also be considered where risk exists, although evidence of the disease in South Africa remains limited.⁴ 

The guidelines stress that maternal antibodies transferred through colostrum can interfere with vaccination in young puppies and kittens. Because antibody levels vary between littermates, multiple vaccinations are necessary to ensure protection. Completing the vaccine series is considered critical, as stopping too early is one of the most common causes of vaccine failure.⁴  

For kittens, the core vaccines are feline panleukopenia virus, feline herpesvirus-1, feline calicivirus, and rabies. Initial vaccinations are recommended at six-, nine-, and 12-weeks of age, with a possible additional booster at 16-weeks if required. Rabies vaccination is administered from 12-weeks onward, with revaccination depending on travel requirements and risk exposure.⁴  

The guidelines strongly recommend feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) vaccination in young cats, even though it is internationally classified as non-core, because of its importance in protecting kittens from severe disease. FeLV vaccination begins at eight- to nine-weeks with a second dose three- weeks later. Other non-core vaccines for cats include Bordetella bronchiseptica and Chlamydia felis, mainly for cats in shelters, breeding catteries, or multi-cat households.⁴ 

A booster vaccination is recommended at six-months to one-year of age for both puppies and kittens to protect animals that may not have responded fully to earlier vaccinations. Thereafter, core vaccines in dogs are generally recommended every three-years, while cats may receive boosters annually or every three-years depending on lifestyle and risk. Cats living in multi-cat households or catteries are considered higher risk and may require more frequent vaccination.⁴ 

The guidelines also recognise the value of serological testing to measure immunity and avoid unnecessary vaccination. Testing may help determine whether an animal still has protective immunity, especially before administering additional boosters. Overall, the South African vaccination guidelines aim to balance scientific evidence, local disease pressures, legal requirements, and practical realities to improve the health and protection of puppies and kittens.⁴ 

Conclusion 

Rabies is a major yet preventable public health threat, particularly in developing countries such as South Africa where canine transmission continues to place vulnerable communities at risk. Strengthening vaccination coverage in domestic dogs and cats is essential to reducing disease transmission and protecting both animal and human health. Public awareness, responsible pet ownership, routine veterinary care, and rapid access to post-exposure prophylaxis are critical components of rabies prevention. Adherence to South African vaccination guidelines, together with improved community education and healthcare access, can significantly reduce rabies-related deaths and contribute toward the global goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies. 

References 

1. World Organization for Animal Health. Rabies. 2026 [Internet]. Available at: https://www.woah.org/en/disease/rabies/   

2. National Institute of Communicable Diseases. Rabies Update. 2026 [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nicd.ac.za/rabies-updates/  

3. National Institute of Communicable Diseases. 2025 [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nicd.ac.za/rabies-prevention-and-vaccine-update-chirorab-now-available-in-south-africa/ 

4. De Cramer K. Dog and cat vaccination guidelines for South Africa (2019) – Evidence. Available at: https://www.sava.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/DOG-AND-CAT-VACCINATION-GUIDELINES-FOR-SOUTH-AFRICA-2019-EVIDENCE-rev-3-De-Cramer-002.docx