MORE than 200 dogs were successfully vaccinated in the Bluewater Bay area by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality after a resident tested positive for rabies.
The resident was bitten by a stray dog which later died of rabies following the attack.
The resident received medical attention and is recovering. Two other dogs also tested positive for rabies.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Health, Councillor Lance Grootboom said: “We are implementing a massive campaign across the metropole, which will have a special focus in Bluewater Bay and St George’s Strand. The campaign will include vaccination of domestic animals, education of residents about pet keeping and impounding of stray animals starting this evening.
“Rabies can be fatal if found too late, even if a dog does not bite a human, a mere lick can spread it. We had to act swiftly as our hospitals are already overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases.
“We do not want an outbreak of rabies to add to an already stressed health system”.
According to Grootboom it is vital for pet owners to take care of their animals and keep them in safe areas where contact with the wild animals can be minimised.
“We did test some wild animals and they tested positive and this was an indication that there was some contact between the domestic animals and the wild animals.
“If residents could keep their domestic animals in safe environments there would be no contact between them and the wild animals. We also emphasise the importance of looking out for strange symptoms as the owners know their pets better,” said Grootboom.
Issued by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Communications Office
