KZN Department of Agriculture commends north Durban pet owners over rabies vaccination campaign
It is compulsory for all domestic pets to be vaccinated against rabies.
THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has thanked all pet owners who showed up during its two-week free rabies vaccination campaign last week.
Animal health technician, Titus Letsoalo, said he was pleased by the turnout from residents, even on the windy and 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. We feel this drive was a success even though we had more people attend last year’s drive.
Also Read: Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease
“The important thing for us is to see people bringing their pets and doing the responsible thing. 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 laboratory-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.
He added, the department would now move to another part of Durban to continue its vaccination programme.
Durban North resident, Susan Collatz, who vaccinated three of her pets, thanked the department for their efficient service.
“It can be such a mission for pets who don’t particularly enjoy being put in a car, and with this particular drive being so close to my home, it was a lot easier leading them by leash to the park across the road. I must commend the staff for being so efficient and helpful. I encourage pet owners to ensure their pets are vaccinated against rabies,” she said.
