The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration (DARDLA) will be embarking on a month long massive rabies vaccination and sterilization of dogs’ campaign starting from March 31 to April 26 2014 in Bushbuckridge area.
Rabies is a deadly disease affecting man and animals. It is transmitted between animals and to humans through saliva (usually through a bite but also through licking). Once symptoms start to show there is no cure and one can only keep the patient comfortable as you wait for death to set in (which is usually after about a week.) Rabies can however be very successfully prevented. Dogs are vaccinated every year and humans are vaccinated when they get bitten by dogs.
The Department together with several NGO’s will be moving from home to home and vaccinate the dogs at their homes. People are requested to take note when the campaign is coming to their village and to be ready to present their dogs for vaccination.People will also have the opportunity to have their dogs or cats sterilized. Community members are encouraged to make use of this opportunity as this will also help to control rabies by reducing the number of dogs (especially unwanted dogs).
Below is the schedule:
DATE VILLAGES
31 March- 4 April 2014 Casteel, Dwarsloop, Orrinoco and London Villages
7-11 April 2014 Thulamahashe, Rolle, Ludlow, Edinburg, Cunningmore A & B, Dumphries.
14-18 April 2014 Culcata, Bushbuckridge, Xanthia, Dingleydale, Alexandria, Madras, Agincourt, Chochocho, Burlington
21 – 26 April 2014 Ireagh, Kildare, Ronaldsey, Cork, Marite, Rooiboklaagte, Craigburn, Arthurseat, Moloro,
Veterinary officials from DARDLA will be available in all areas mentioned to help dog owners with the services in the various villages.
All community members are invited to bring their dogs for sterilization and vaccination.
NB: There will be no points as the teams of officials will be moving around the communities therefore communities are urged to be at home with their dogs to be vaccinated.