The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development acted swiftly after the two more rabies outbreak in Eldorado and Kibler Park west and south of Johannesburg. This is after the outbreak in both Witpoortjie and Sophiatown were confirmed in the last two months.
GDARD would like to warn the public of the very real threat to both people and their pets living in the area. The Department has reacted swiftly and already done ‘ring vaccinations’ around each outbreak. Larger scale vaccination programmes will be launched starting with Sophia Town and surrounding areas on Monday, 6 September 2010.
The details of the massive campaigns will be release at a later stage.
All in contact people have been treated. It is important for people to note that they need to seek medical attention immediately after being bitten. Such post exposure treatment will prevent the development of the disease. Once symptoms have arisen which can take up to six month after the bite, it is too late for treatment.
Rabies is a disease affecting the brain and can lead to the death of the person or animal involved. Symptoms vary widely and include behavioral changes, aggressiveness, and paralysis. The virus occurs in great numbers in the saliva of rabid animals. Never touch or caress a strange, injured animal or one which appears to be sick.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development wishes to re-emphasise the following:
- It is compulsory for all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies. Failure to vaccinate domestic pets is illegal and is a public health risk.
- Members of the public should not touch or caress a strange, injured animal or an animal which appears to be sick.
- Any person or domestic pet, which may have been bitten by strange animals during the last four weeks, are a risk of having contracted rabies. This should be reported immediately to your Local State Veterinarian 011 821 7700 or your local health authority 011 226 8300.
- Any animal, which has not been vaccinated, should immediately be taken to your private Veterinarian to be vaccinated.
In order to ensure that there is a high degree of immunity against an outbreak of rabies in pets, the state will carry a rabies mass vaccination campaign as follows:
Venues:
a. Sophiatown Shopping Centre
b. Union Sports Ground
Time: 10h00 to 18h00
Dates: 6 to 10 September 2010.
Everyone is encouraged to bring their pets for vaccination. All dogs and cats over the age of three months that were not vaccinated in the last month must be vaccinated.
Please take note that this is a free service.
The presence of rabies in such a highly populated area can be considered as posing an extremely serious public health risk . The Directorate of Veterinary Services is confident that with the cooperation of all role players including the province’s Department of Health, Joburg Region, Environmental Health authorities, as well as the public, this situation can quickly be brought under control.
For further information contact:
Mr J Motshegoa
Germiston State Veterinarian’s Office
Tel: 011 821 7700/22
