Rabies: Western Cape targets 70 000 animals for vaccination
The vaccination rollout was announced and kicked off by the Western Cape’s Department of Agriculture on Tuesday 28 September. The aim is to ensure 70 000 pets are vaccinated against the rabies disease that has threatened a serious outbreak in South Africa.
VACCINATION PLAN FOLLOWS AUGUST’S OUTBREAK
The rabies disease, which is the deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals, first sparked fear in August around the Western Cape.
The department has now confirmed that vaccination sites for pets in communities have started and will continue up to the end of 2021.
“The Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services aims to vaccinate 70 000 pets this year. Therefore, it will host regular rabies vaccination outreaches in communities across the Western Cape that do not have easy access to veterinary services,” the department’s statement said.
ATTENTION PET OWNERS AND KIDS
The vaccination programme will not start and end with just taking a pet to get a jab and then heading home. The department will facilitate education programmes with farmers, and most importantly, train pet owners and children on rabies prevention.
“Other initiatives include farmers’ education days and school talks,” the statement added.
“Veterinary officials hold regular farmer education days concentrating on diseases, issues farmers need to look out for and how to prevent them.”
“At the same time, school talks to learners focus on dog behaviour, preventing dog bites, and preventing rabies in their pets.”
“Veterinary officials will ensure that rabies awareness is included during their daily interaction with animal owners during their visits to farms, smallholdings and other premises where animals are kept.”
The department said the vaccination goal is: protect citizen health.
“We do so because we believe that the health of animals is vital to safeguarding people’s health and preventing disease outbreaks or transmission.”
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