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South Africa: Eastern Cape Residents Urged to Take Rabies Seriously
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
9 April 2008
Posted to the web 9 April 2008
Nthambeleni Gabara
East London
The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture has urged residents to take the vaccination of dogs against rabies seriously.
This follows the outbreak of dog rabies in Nahoon at the Bonza Bay settlement in East London.
"The department has noticed with great regret that people were not responding in big numbers during its campaigns across the province to vaccinate dogs," the department said.
Following the outbreak, state veterinary services in the province are urging people to make use of the free veterinary mobile clinics in an effort to stop the spread of rabies.
Rabies is described as a fatal disease to humans and all other mammals, and by using the mobile clinics, people will be able to protect their dogs and themselves against the deadly disease.
The department further advised people who are exposed to dog bites to seek immediate medical attention at their nearest clinics.
A contingent plan to curb the spread of the disease through taking mobile veterinary clinics to different areas across the province is in place.
On 16 April, the mobile veterinary clinic will be adjacent to Sterling High School, while the following day it would be at Nahoon, next to the open field in Beach Road.
On 18 April, departmental officials will be at Beacon Bay near Spargs from 10am until 5:30pm.
In January this year, nearly 80 000 dogs, cats and other domestic animals were vaccinated against the potentially fatal rabies disease in Mpumalanga.
The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs targeted certain high-risk areas near the borders of Mozambique, Swaziland and KwaZulu-Natal during November and December for their vaccination campaign.
"We have vaccinated 79 808 cats and dogs and would like to urge owners of domestic animals to come forward if any of their animals appear to be infected," said departmental spokesperson Putsoa Makua at the time.
Mr Makua said animals infected with rabies would display unusual behaviour. Dogs may howl, become extremely subdued or become violent and try to bite people randomly.
These animals should be reported to the nearest veterinary or offices of the department as soon as possible. Cows and horses might begin to attack human beings if they are infected
In September last year, the Northern Cape Departments of Agriculture, Health and Education, launched their Anti-Rabies Campaign after there was a marked increase in the number of rabies incidents especially around the Springbok area.
After an increase in the number of rabies cases over the last few years, both in humans and animals, throughout the world, the Rabies Alliance (an alliance of research and control institutions worldwide) was prompted to organise World Rabies Day, which is on 28 September.
Rabies is a viral disease, which is transmitted from animals to humans or animals through biting by an infected animal.
The development of rabies in humans can be prevented if correct post exposure treatment, including vaccination, is administered timeously and correctly.
Once humans or animals start showing symptoms of rabies there is no treatment and the disease leads to death.
Members of the public have been advised to have their young animals vaccinated, twice in the first year and then every three years.
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People are also warned not to handle, or go near: strange animals or wild animals that seem tame and do not run away from you; sick animals that are not properly restrained; or animals that appear aggressive.
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