The Limpopo Department of Agriculture (LDA) jointly with the Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development (LDHSD) will mark the World Rabies Day by staging a Provincial Rabies Awareness Day in Vhembe District. Vhembe was selected as a host since it is the district where rabies is more prevalent.
Rabies is a disease that affects all mammals. It is usually carried by wild animals which transmit it to pets and other animals through saliva, and usually as they bite each other. It is mostly transmitted to human beings by a bite from infected cats or dogs. Once the clinical signs are displayed, there is no treatment, therefore the infected animal or person will die.
In order to save lives of animals and people, the government vaccinates cats and dogs against the disease for free. In the previous financial year, 76367 pets were vaccinated throughout Limpopo province. The LDA with the LDHSD conduct awareness campaigns educating communities that prevention is the solution. Towards this year’s annual event, road shows were conducted as from 27 September at Rambuda, Thengwe, and Tshikundamalema in Mutale Municipality where 259 pets were vaccinated. The vaccinated pets were mainly those which were missed during the usual vaccination campaign.
Date: Friday, 1 October 2010
Venue: Mutale Municipality (Tshilamba Town Hall-next to the Police Station)
Time: 10h00
For more information, contact:
Mr Kenny Mathivha
Cell: 082 450 1331
For transport, contact:
Samson Mabunda
Cell: 082 889 3791
