31 August 2007
The Gauteng government is set to roll out awareness and treatment programmes
to combat the deadly rabies disease.
Rabies is a highly infectious disease that is easily transmitted from
animals to humans. Almost all rabies cases in Gauteng have been linked to bites
by infected domestic animals. Failure to immediately administer correct
treatment to victims invariably leads to death.
Treatment of bites from rabid animals include vaccination, this makes it
very important to quickly report suspected cases of rabies. Infected dogs show
a change in temperament, attack and bite anything, they show an exaggerated
response to sound and light, they are restless, nervous and snap at imaginary
flying insects. Dogs are often disorientated and wander aimlessly around with
drooling saliva. Eventually these dogs have uncoordinated actions and show
progressive paralysis. Cats are generally aggressive, show frothing at the
mouth and vocalise abnormally.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases reports that there have
been 22 reported cases of human rabies infections in South Africa up to the end
of August 2006. These statistics were confirmed by diagnostic laboratories. Of
the 22 cases reported, 19 were in Limpopo Province. Gauteng has reported 5
cases of animal rabies during this year alone.
Concerned about the increasing rabies viral threat, the Rabies Alliance, an
alliance of research and control institutions worldwide, has declared 8
September 2007 World Rabies Day. The Gauteng Department of Agriculture,
Conservation and Environment, the National Department of Agriculture, the
Provincial Veterinary Services, together with the South African Rabies Advisory
Group have all committed to participate in this event by organising a National
Rabies Week in South Africa, starting on Monday, 3 September 2007 and ending on
World Rabies Day, on Saturday, 8 September 2007.
During World Rabies Week, officials from the department will embark on
campaigns aimed at educating and increasing the awareness of this threat to the
public. To emphasise the importance of vaccinating pets against this disease,
officials have committed to vaccinating as many pets as possible for free.
Vaccination is a very cost effective way to protect your pet and fellow human
beings against the disease.
The Animal Disease Act 35 of 1984 makes rabies a controlled animal disease
in South Africa. It is therefore the lawful duty of each pet owner to see to it
that their pets are vaccinated against rabies.
Kittens and puppies must be vaccinated for the first time at the age of 3
months, and again within 12 months but not sooner than 30 days after the first
vaccination, and there after every 3 years.
More information on this campaign and the rabies threat can be obtained from
the following departmental offices:
Pretoria: 012 328 5140
Randfontein: 011 411 4300
Germiston: 011 821 7700
The Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment will
host World Rabies Day as follows:
Date: Saturday, 8 September 2007
Time: 09h00
Venue: Johannesburg Zoo, Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkview
For more information contact:
Sizwe Mtshikiza
Tel: 011 355 1316
Cell: 083 778 9996
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Gauteng
Provincial Government
31 August 2007
