The Veterinary and Livestock Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries and Co-operatives advises the public of the clinical signs of rabies in domestic animals (dogs and cats) and food animals (sheep, goats, and cattle).
The Veterinary Department also advises of the immediate actions to be taken in the likely event of exposure to an infected animal.
Facts
- Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to humans and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, that is, an animal infected with the rabies virus
- In Grenada the rabies virus is mainly carried by the mongoose
- Rabies affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) in humans and can ultimately lead to death
Signs of infected animals
Animals infected with rabies may act strangely. They may be aggressive, try to bite you or other animals, or they may drool more than normal.
Humans can be exposed to rabies through
- Bite by an infected animal
- Contamination of an open wound by saliva, abrasions, scratches, contaminated fomites of an infected animal
What should you do if exposed?
- Wash wounds immediately with soap and water
- Visit your doctor or nearest health clinic or the hospital immediately
Preventative measures for animal owners
Anti-rabies vaccination of domestic and food animals utilising your local rabies vaccination programme.
NB: Should domestic or food animals show signs of rabies, contact a veterinary doctor or the Veterinary and Livestock Division in the Ministry of Agriculture at 440-2708.
Ministry of Agriculture and Land, Fisheries and Cooperatives…ensuring food and nutrition security.
GIS
NOTE: RABIES IS PREVENTABLE!!!
This means VACCINATIONS are mandatory for dogs, cats, goats, sheep, cattle and frankly, don’t lay the blame on Mongooses. Get a National Vaccination program that is free . There is no reason you can’t keep RABIES out of the island you must have in place STRICT regulations about the importation of all livestock being vaccinated before being allowed on the island. Even bringing animals to and from Carriacou, Petit Martinique and Grenada. This is a controllable disease.