Department launches free rabies vaccination campaign in north Durban
The first campaign will target Durban North, Glenashley, Glen Hills, Park Hill and Virginia for their vaccination programme.
THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will host its first round of free rabies vaccination programmes for dogs and cats in various areas from next Monday (March 11).
According to the department, rabies is a very serious, mostly fatal zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be passed from infected animals to humans.
The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal when it bites, scratches or licks a person.
In animals and humans, the disease affects the brain, and once clinical signs become visible, there is no curative treatment, and it is 100% fatal.
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Animal health technician Titus Letsoalo said they will target Durban North, Glenashley, Glen Hills, Park Hill and Virginia in their campaign.
“It is compulsory for all domestic pets to be vaccinated against rabies, and failure to do so is illegal and a public health risk. We had an outstanding response from the north Durban community in the past, and we hope more residents come out to support this drive. For us, it is also important to drive awareness campaigns to inform the public about rabies.
“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,” he said.
Letsoalo added that rabies can be prevented by vaccinating your animals and seeking treatment immediately following contact with a suspected rabid animal.
The campaign will extend to the end of the month and will include La Lucia, Somerset Park, Sunningdale, uMhlanga and Greenwood Park. Those dates will be announced in upcoming Northglen News editions or online articles.
Free vaccination campaign dates
– Monday, March 11 (Durban North)
From 09:00 to 12:00 at the park next to the Durban North municipal pool situated on the corner of Umhlanga Rocks Drive and Kenneth Kaunda Road (Northway).
– Wednesday, March 13 (Durban North)
From 09:00 to 12:00 at the playlot situated on the corner of St Andrews Drive and Graham Place.
– Thursday, March 14 (Glen Hills)
From 09:00 to 12:00 at the park on the corner of Malacca Road and Rinaldo Road.
– Friday, March 15 (Glenashley)
From 09:00 to 12:00 at the playlot in Adelaide Drive and Adelaide Place.
– Monday, March 18 (Virginia)
From 09:00 to 12:00 in the parking lot at Danville Park on Danville Avenue.
– Tuesday, March 19 (Park Hill)
From 09:00 to 12:00 at Seaton Park on Lothian Road.
For more information, contact Titus on 031 328 9300.
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