Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development conducts free rabies vaccination, 7 to 11 May

Free Rabies Vaccination in Soshanguve

The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) State veterinarians calls on all Soshanguve community and surrounding areas to bring their pets for a free rabies vaccination or revaccination during the week of 7-11 May 2018.

This vaccination campaign is aimed at addressing the recent rabies diagnosed in two dogs from the area. All dogs and cats over the age of three months must be vaccinated for rabies. 

GDARD state vet Dr. Faculty Baloyi says that rabies in pets needs to be avoided at all cost as it can easily be passed on to humans.  “The disease is fatal if not detected and treated on time,” Baloyi stressed. He encouraged the community to take advantage of this free service brought to their locality.

The GDARD Veterinarians urges the public to note the following:

• Rabies affects the brain and can lead to the death in both humans and animals.
• Avoid touching or caressing strange, injured or sick animals.
• Any person or domestic pet which have been bitten by a strange animal, should immediately contact their local State Veterinarian or local Health Authority.
• Symptoms include behavioral change, aggressions and paralysis. Symptoms can occur from 7 days to 6 months after being infected with the virus.   The virus occurs in the saliva of rabid of an infected animal.
• 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.
• Any animal which has not been vaccinated should immediately be taken to your private Veterinarian or the local SPCA for a Health check and to be vaccinated.

The media is requested to announce the following vaccination campaign schedule:

Media enquiries:
Matlhodi Malope
Cell: 082 937 1315
E-mail: Matlhodi.Malope@gauteng.gov.za