The national Department of Health is activating a partnership commitment to fight against rabies. The campaign run through the World Rabies Day (WRD), observed on 28 September of each year.
The annual commemoration is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about continuing burden of rabies acute viral encephalitis and the disease prevention methods.
The 2010 Rabies Campaign will be commemorated under the theme “Working Together to Make Rabies History” and aims at bringing together various interest groups and stakeholders for a unified show of support for anti rabies efforts. The department has partnered with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and Sanofi Pasteur.
As part of the Rabies Campaign, the department in partnership with the NICD and Sanofi Pateur will host a media breakfast briefing to discuss and share information on rabies control, prevention and treatment programmes. The briefing is scheduled for 21 September 2010 in Johannesburg. Various experts from different fields will make presentations. The guests will be afforded an opportunity to pose questions.
During the World Rabies Day, 28 September, the department in partnership with provincial Departments of Health will stage community education activities, particularly at areas where rabies disease has been prevalent.
Rabies is a lethal disease affecting the brain. Symptoms vary and may include behavioural changes, aggressiveness, paralysis, malaise, headache and fever, progressing to acute pain, violent movements, uncontrolled excitements, hydrophobia, fear of water and trouble swallowing. When a person has been bitten by an infected animal, it is important to seek medical attention immediately afterwards. More detailed information on Rabies Disease can be obtained on the attached fact sheet.
Media reporters are therefore invited to a media breakfast scheduled as follows:
Event Name: Rabies Campaign Media Breakfast
Date: 21 September 2010
Time: 07h00 to 09h30
Venue: Johannesburg, Melrose Arch, Stay Easy Hotel.
For more information and attendance confirmations, kindly contact:
Mr Vukani Mnyandu
Tel: 012 395 8475
Cell: 083 923 0261
