A mass campaign to get animals in North West vaccinated against rabies has kicked off yesterday (Thursday, 1 September 2022). The province’s department of agriculture and rural development is leading the rollout and will be targeting pet owners to prevent rabies cases across the province.
In an announcement sent out this week, the department says that its theme for this year’s campaign is “Zero by 30: Our catalytic response.”
This is part of the worldwide target of eliminating dog-mediated rabies deaths in humans by the year 2030.
“Although rabies is 100% preventable, it is estimated that at least 59 000 people die annually from rabies. That is one person every nine minutes of every day, 40% of whom are children living in Africa and Asia,” the department say.
Officials are now calling on pet owners across the province to be proactive and to take their pets to the nearest veterinary clinics for rabies vaccination.
More about the disease
This disease is caused by a virus that affects the nervous system and results in death. The virus can enter the body from the saliva of infected animals, either through a bite wound or direct contact with the victim’s mucous membranes. Even small nicks that break the skin or licks to the eyes, nose and mouth are regarded as exposure.
Clinical signs are associated with a dysfunctional nervous system. In animals, they are classified either as “dumb form” or “aggressive form”. In the dumb form, animals show signs of lethargy and later facial paralysis. In the aggressive form, animals show signs of extreme aggression and, as they get paralysed in the face, they tend to produce excessive saliva. Some animals may simply show hindquarter paralysis.
Experts say it is important for communities to note that all domestic animals and human beings are susceptible to rabies and that human beings are extremely susceptible to the disease.
Community members are further advised to report any suspicious human symptoms of rabies to any health facility in the province.
To get their animals vaccinated, residents of North West can contact these veterinary offices:
Ngaka Modiri Molema district:
- Mahikeng: 018 381 3449
- Ratlou: 018 336 1121
- Tswaing: 053 948 1188
- Ditsobotla: 018 632 4061
- Ramotshere: 018 363 3144
Dr Kenneth Kaunda district:
- Klerksdorp: 018 468 6955
- Potchefstroom: 018 294 5378
- Ventersdorp: 018 264 3159
- Wolmaransstad: 018 596 3094
Bojanala district:
- Madibeng: 012 709 1108
- Moretele: 012 714 3914
- Moses Kotane: 014 555 6023
- Rustenburg: 014 592 9281/2
- Kgetleng: 014 544 0607
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district:
- Molopo: 053 937 0047
- Kagisano: 053 998 3528
- Naledi: 053 927 2274
- Mamusa: 053 963 1140
- Lekwa Teemane: 053 433 1415
- Greater Taung: 053 994 2238
ALSO READ: Podcast: Prevent rabies with vaccination
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