26 July 2007
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs Mtholephi
Mthimkhulu (MPL) has called on all dog owners in the province to ensure that
their dogs were vaccinated every year. This follows a sudden surge in positive
cases of rabies in different districts of the province since the beginning of
the year.
In this year alone more than 200 positive cases of rabies had been recorded
by the Department's Veterinary Services and the number could increase to almost
450 by the end of the year which will be an all time high in the 30-year period
since rabies had been declared eliminated in the province.
Prior to 1976, rabies had been declared eliminated in KwaZulu-Natal until
the resurgence of infected dogs in mid-70s. On Thursday (26 July) two dogs
which had been positively identified as having rabies were put down by the
State Veterinary Services staff. One dog was found at Newlands West, north of
Durban and the other dog was found in Verulam, also north of Durban.
A month ago two people who had been bitten by rabid dogs in two separate
incidents died in the Intshanga (Inchanga) area, west of Durban and at
Appelsbosch between Tongaat and Noodsberg. "We urge all dog owners to take
their animals for vaccinations against rabies because this disease kills both
people and animals in our province every year.
The most common way rabies is transmitted to animals and people is by the
bite of an infected dog. So any dog bite wound should be automatically treated
as a Rabies case and the patient should be attended immediately within the
first 24-hours of the bite incident," warned Mthimkhulu.
"Beware of rabies. You can prevent your dog from becoming infected with
Rabies by having it vaccinated against Rabies every year. This vaccine is very
effective and will prevent your dog from getting rabies, even if it is bitten
by a rabid dog. If you are bitten by a dog, wash the wound with soap and water
and seek medical attention immediately. Rabies is 100% preventable in people if
correct treatment is administered soon after being bitten. Help us to get rid
of rabies. Vaccinate your dogs every year," said Mthimkhulu.
He further said the Department's Veterinary Services would be embarking on a
massive vaccination campaign in due course in the Ndwedwe, Maphumulo areas.
For enquiries please contact:
Mbulelo Baloyi
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 415 7277
Issued by: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
26 July 2007
Source: SAPA
