The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has called on animal owners to vaccinate their pets against rabies. The call comes after the death of a five-year-old boy in Nongoma after being bitten by a stray dog.
According to the department of agriculture and rural development in the province, 15 people have died since 2021, while between January and September this year, four deaths have been reported.
‘Let us work together’
The department went on a vigorous rabies campaign in Nongoma aimed at raising awareness and a call for pet owners to take responsibility.
MEC Super Zuma has urged community members to vaccinate their animals and reach out to the department for further help.
“When pet owners must take their pets for the treatment of rabies, it is a clear indication of negligence. Why wait to treat rabies when you can prevent the disease by vaccinating?
“We have freely available vaccinations to all pet owners throughout the province, but numbers are too low. A lot more pet owners should take advantage of the services provided to prevent both animal and human deaths,” he said.
Upon visiting the family of the boy, Zuma said the disease was preventable and it was up to the individuals to heed the call to vaccinate their pets.
The department said most of the fatalities have occurred in eThekwini and those affected are children between two and 13 years old.
“We visited the family of the child who died here in Nongoma and his father was in tears saying it would have been better if the child had been killed by their dog,” he added.
Vaccinate before it is too late
Cameron Kotwane, a veterinarian responsible for services within the northern part of the province, said KZN was challenged and raising vaccination numbers of communal drives was vital.
“We want to mobilise communities and teach them about the dangers of the disease. Precautions must be taken before we are beaten.
“You have to take care of the wound by ensuring that it is washed with soap under running water, and seek emergency treatment to ensure the manifestation of the disease,” Kotwane said.
Inkosi EB Zulu encouraged the community to heed the call from the department to vaccinate their pets to ensure safer communities, especially the children.
“It is important that we do as we are being advised by experts to keep our families safe. We must be vigilant of all the symptoms that have been mentioned so that we may be able to take necessary action to prevent unnecessary deaths,” Inkosi said.
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