The National Health Department will on Wednesday, 28 September 2011 host a panel discussion with various experts on rabies to help increase public awareness of the condition. Human rabies is present in all provinces in the country.
In South Africa, about 10 laboratory confirmed human cases per year succumb to rabies. 28 September marks annual World Rabies Day which is commemorated worldwide to highlight the impact of human and animal rabies.
Rabies, although preventable, results in 55 000 people dying worldwide each year according to the World Health Organisation. Tragically, most of those who succumbed to the disease were bitten by rabid dogs.
Children are most vulnerable to attacks by rabid dogs because they play with them and can be licked or bitten by them.
The media is invited to cover the panel of discussion and the details are as follows:
Date: 28 September 2011
Venye: Melrose Arch Hotel, 1 Melrose Square, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg
Time: 07h30 to 08h30 breakfast - Atrium
08h30 to 10h00: Presentations - Auditorium
Speakers: Dr Frew Benson (Head: Communicable Disease at National Department of Health), Jackie Weyers NICD as well as other experts
For more information to contact:
Bhungani Mzolo
Tel: 012 395 8479
Cell: 071 6500 8927
Siphiwe Gumede
Tel: 012 395 8035
Cell: 078 306 1569
