THE Eastern Cape MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nonkqubela Pieters, has issued a statement expressing her concerns about the current unprecedented rabies outbreak in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, Amathole and O.R. Tambo districts.
Since the beginning of January 2021 to date, 414 cases in NMBMM, 42 cases in Amathole district, 27 cases in O.R. Tambo district and 23 cases in Chris Hani district have been laboratory confirmed as positive for rabies.
“The epicentre of the current outbreak has been around Despatch, Kariega and KwaNobuhle in Nelson Mandela Bay metropole. Around Buffalo City metro, Mbashe and Mnquma local municipalities in Amathole district, around KSD, PSJ, Ingquza Hill and Mhlontlo in O.R. Tambo district and around Ngcobo and Enoch Mgijima in the Chris Hani district,” said Pieters.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that is transmissible from animals to humans and can affect all mammals. It affects the brain, both in animals and humans.
The rabies virus is released into the saliva of infected animals and is passed to animals or man through the bite of an infected animal. Dogs and cats are the most common animals that transmit the disease to man.
According to the statement, the Eastern Cape runs an annual rabies awareness and vaccination campaigns from June to September each year.
A total of 58 407 dogs and cats have been vaccinated from January 2021 to February 2022 in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality; 73 158 in Amathole district, 118 052 in O.R. Tambo district and 77 681 in Chris Hani district.
“Collaboration with private veterinarians, animal welfare organisations (SPCA, Animal Anti-Cruelty League and Animal Welfare Society) have been key especially in the Nelson Mandela Bay.
“These organisations assisted with collection of samples and vaccinations of dogs and cats. The Nelson Mandela Bay dog control unit has assisted with the collection of sick dogs, taking them to the municipality pound where SPCA operates their facility.
“SAPS have been involved in the Northern Areas of the Nelson Mandela Bay assisting with safeguarding officials and vehicles.
“Thirty final-year students from TARDI assisted with awareness and vaccination campaigns in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality,” said Pieters.
– ISSUED BY EC RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRARIAN REFORM
