5 September 2007
As part of the 'World Rabies Day' campaign, the province has organised a
Scientific Evening at the Holiday Inn (Thursday, 6 September 2007). This comes
after an increase in the number of rabies cases over the last few years, both
in humans and animals throughout the world.
State doctors, private General Practitioners, nurses, pharmacists,
veterinarians and officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Health and
Education, as well as Tourism, Environment and Conservation, will attend the
session.
It was decided to target professionals because they are the ones at the
forefront of dispensing and administering of rabies vaccines and post exposure
prophylactics (treatment that prevents or slows the course of an illness).
Experts will conduct presentations on matters related to rabies and the guest
speakers include Dr Jacqueline Weyer from the National Institute of
Communicable Diseases, as well as Dr Claude Sabeta who is from the Animal
Rabies Diagnosis unit at the Onderstepoort laboratory.
The scientific evening forms part of the build-up programme towards the
'World Rabies Day' celebrations to be held in Prieska on Saturday. Other
build-up activities include community information and vaccination sessions,
exhibitions, school visits and the distribution of educational material.
Issued by: Departments of Agriculture and Health, Northern Cape Provincial
Government
5 September 2007
