VANDERBIJLPARK - The Gauteng Department of Agricultural and Rural Development and the Vanderbijlpark SPCA will embark on a campaign to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies in the vaal Triangle. A case of rabies was confirmed in Vanderbijlpark last week. Rabies is a disease affecting the brain and can lead to the death of the person or animal infected. Symptoms vary widely and include behavioural changes, aggressiveness and paralysis. Chief State Veterinarian Dr. Duma Mpofu says it is prudent to avoid touching or caressing a strange, injured or sick animal and rather call a state veterinarian, or animal welfare organisation. The SPCA wishes to re-emphasize the following: • It is compulsory for all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against Rabies. Members of the public should avoid touching or caressing strange / stray, injured or sick animals. • Any person or domestic pet which has been bitten by a stray animal which has shown signs suspicious of rabies, should immediately contact their local State Veterinarian or local Health Authority. • Any domestic dog or cat older than three months, which has not been vaccinated for rabies should immediately be taken to your private Veterinarian for a Health check and to be vaccinated. Failure to vaccinate domestic pets is illegal and is grave a public health risk. In order to ensure that there is a high degree of immunity against Rabies amongst the pet population, the Gauteng Veterinary Services will have a booster vaccination campaign at three locations in the Vaal Triangle, namely Barrage SAPS, North Vaal Community Hall and in Louisrus at the Roads and Storm Water- Emfuleni Municipal Offices. This service will be from 09:30 until 16:00 and is offered at no cost to the pet owner. The public can also choose between having the vaccination of their pets done by their private veterinarian (at a cost) or by the State. The Directorate of Veterinary Services is confident that with the co-operation of all role players, including the SPCA, private veterinarians in the area, as well as the public, this situation can soon be brought under control.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 08:50:41 +0000
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