There is a rabies outbreak in Nelson Mandela Bay with some of the first cases being reported in Vanes (a Kariega suburb) and Despatch.
Inspector Mariaan Wentzel from the Uitenhage & District SPCA said that with regards to the rabies outbreak, they cooperate in close cooperation with the state veterinary surgeon Dr Jared Strydom.
She confirmed that several cases of rabies have been reported and that the disease is spreading quickly.
“The only way to stop the outbreak is to have domestic animals vaccinated. The Department of Agriculture and its state veterinarian is handling the vaccinations.
“We are not sure where this rabies outbreak originates, but it is serious and all owners of domestic animals are obliged by law to have their pets vaccinated against rabies,” said Inspector Wentzel.
MMC of Public Health in Nelson Mandela Bay, Councillor Lance Grootboom last week said there is routine surveillance of rabies on domestic and wild animals going on in Nelson Mandela Bay and it is done in different areas by the Department of Agriculture.
“All the tests done came back positive for rabies. There are however no human cases of rabies reported so far,” said Councillor Grootboom.
“As a response our Public Health will conduct a joint operation with the Department of Agriculture to raise awareness in the communities and to vaccinate domestic animals.”
As rabies affects dogs neurologically the most common signs of rabies to look out for include behavioural changes and unpredictability; excessive salivation; seizures; looking if a bone has stuck in the dog’s throat; dogs snapping at flies and behaving not like they usually do; and aggression.
People are also urged to stay away from stray dogs and advised to strictly keep their dogs in their yard.
Free rabies vaccinations
Free rabies vaccinations will be done during the anti-rabies drive at vaccination stations throughout the metropole. Ward councillors are informed of where these sites will be, and members of the Department are driving around with a loud hailer informing residents of the vaccination sites.
Residents from Kariega (Uitenhage) and Despatch can also have their domestic animals vaccinated on Wednesdays at the state veterinarian site at 98 Algoa Road, De Mist from 08:30 to 12:30.
- Please contact the state veterinarian directly with any concerns or enquiries on 041 402 6323 or 066 302 0871.
