2012-06-12: Rabbies vacciantion in Fourways
THE City of Johannesburg Environmental Health Services and Gauteng Department of Agricultural and Rural Development will embark on the campaign to vaccinate
dogs and cats against rabies in Fourways.
A case of rabies was confirmed in Chartwell, Johannesburg last week. A puppy, believed to have been brought from the Eastern Cape, was diagnosed with the
virus.
Two months ago, a two and half months' old puppy was rescued in Coffee Bay- Eastern Cape by a Chartwell family and brought to Johannesburg. The puppy fell
sick and was taken to Chartwell Veterinary Clinic on the 29th May 2012 showing the following clinical signs:
Behavioural changes – puppy became very aggressive (alleged to have bitten three people)
Excessive vocalisation
Biting of fence around home (biting at strange objects)
Diarrhoea and vomiting
On 03 June 2012, the puppy developed further neurological signs of incoordination, depression and scratching of the head and then died. Laboratory tests
were conducted which returned positive for rabies. The people who were bitten are currently on rabies post exposure prophylactic treatment.
This is a third case in the past 18 months of an animal which was brought into Gauteng from neighbouring provinces and later tested positive for rabies. The
first case, a dog belonging to a Pretoria building contractor was taken along to KZN and on returning started showing suspicious signs of rabies which were
later confirmed positive. The second was a family cat brought into Gauteng by a relocating family from KZN to Craighavon.
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.
Symptoms can occur from seven days to six months after being infected with the virus. The virus occurs in great numbers in the saliva of rabid (i.e. an
infected animal showing symptoms of Rabies) animals. 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 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the City of Joburg wishes to re-emphasize the following:
It is compulsory for all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against Rabies. Failure to vaccinate domestic pets is illegal and is grave a public health risk.
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.
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 The Fourways Mall Open Parking Lot, Gate 5, from the 18th- 20th June 2012 from 09h00 to 17h00.
This service 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.
People living in the area bounded by the N14 (Krugersdorp highway), Malibongwe Dr, Witkoppen Rd and William Nicol Dr are urged to bring their pets for
vaccination / revaccination.
The confirmation of the presence of Rabies in an area must always be considered as extremely serious.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services is confident that with the co-operation of all role players, including the City of Johannesburg, private
veterinarians in the area, animal welfare organisations, as well as the public, this situation can soon be brought under control.
For more information contact:
State Veterinarian
Tel: (011) 821-7700 or (011) 411-4300
Issued by:
Nkosinathi Nkabinde
Communication Specialist
City of Johannesburg Group Communication & Tourism Department
Tel: (011) 407 - 6477
Cell: 083 408 7787
E-mail: nkosinathin@joburg.org.za
