21 August 2006
The Northern Cape�s Department of Agriculture and Land Reform has noted the
report on the suspected outbreak of canine distemper and wishes to clarify its
statutory function regarding the suspected outbreak by stating the
following:
* that canine distemper in not listed as a controlled disease and a
modifiable disease in terms of the Animal Disease Act (Act 35 of 1984). A
controlled animal disease is a disease controlled by the state due to the
following reasons:
1. it can pose a public health risk for humans
2. is highly contagious and can spread rapidly
3. is difficult to be controlled by individuals
4. is a threat to the agriculture industry in South Africa (i.e. can negatively
influence stock production over a large area)
5. needs extensive resources (money, people, and infrastructure) to control
it
6. important for trade or export reasons, e.g. surveillance should be done to
prove freedom of disease.
* Canine distemper is normally considered to be a disease that can easily be
prevented through the vaccination of puppies and dogs
* the Department has different control measures for controlled animal diseases,
modifiable diseases and other animal diseases
* in South Africa, the prevention of canine distemper is generally regarded as
the responsibility of pet owners and government normally intervenes should the
outbreak prove to be uncontrollable and epidemiologically significant.
The current suspected cases in Kimberley do not epidemiologically justify an
immediate intervention by Government but we, however, wish to advise the public
on the following:
* to ensure that their dogs are vaccinated against distemper and other
canine diseases by private veterinarians
* that all pets displaying signs or symptoms of sickness must be taken to
private veterinarians.
The department will immediately investigate and monitor the extent of the
suspected outbreak. We therefore in particular request the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and private practitioners to assist the
government by regularly informing the State Veterinary Office of suspected and
confirmed cases encountered.
Enquiries:
Thabo Mothibi
Tel: (053) 838 9100
Cell: 083 255 8840
Email: tmothibi@agri.ncape.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture and Land Reform, Northern Cape
Provincial Government
21 August 2006
Source: Northern Cape Department of Agriculture and Land Reform (http://www.northern-cape.gov.za/)
