PET owners showed up in numbers last week as the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development conducted free rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats.
Animal health technician, Titus Letsoalo, said he was pleased by the turnout from residents, even on rainy days, to vaccinate their pets.
“It is compulsory for all domestic pets to be vaccinated against rabies, and failure to do so is illegal and a public health risk. With that in mind, it was extremely positive to see the north Durban residents come out to support the drive. For us, it is also important to drive awareness campaigns to inform the public about rabies.
“Most rabies infections occur through animal bites, but scratches or licks on broken skin are also possible routes of infection. Signs of rabies in animals include fearfulness, aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, staggering and seizures. In South Africa, about 10 laboratories confirmed human cases per year succumb to human rabies, which is present in all provinces in the country,” he said.
Letsoalo added that rabies can be prevented by vaccinating your animals and seeking treatment immediately following contact with a suspected rabid animal.
Local resident, June McMurty agreed with Letsoalo and said she was glad to have gotten her dog vaccinated.
“I have a Border Collie, Jessie, who I brought to the Sunningdale vaccination site and it was quick and easy. I urge pet owners to get their animals vaccinated as soon as possible and I’m grateful to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for their vaccine drive,” she said.
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