Reducing rabies in Soweto
Residents take their cats and dogs for immunisation at their nearest vaccination centres.
After recently reported cases of rabies in some parts of Johannesburg, residents took their cats and dogs for immunisation at their nearest vaccination centres last week.
They took their animals to Mapetla Hostel, Protea North Administration Offices, Protea South Clinic, Merafe Station, Naledi Station, Protea Gardens Shopping Centre or Glenridge Clinic for vaccination.
The City’s health department, in partnership with the Gauteng department of agricultural and rural development, did the rounds in these areas, to try to control the dangerous infection.
City’s spokesperson Nkosinathi Nkabinde said the first immunisation programme was conducted in Soweto from October 4 to 31.
“Rabies is a contagious and deadly viral infection that damages the brain and the spinal cord;
“It affects both humans and animals.
“Symptoms in animals in the first stages include behavioural changes such as restlessness, irritability, excitability and shyness.
“The infected animal usually stops eating and drinking and may appear to want to be left alone.
“After the initial stage, it may become violent or begin to show signs of paralysis.
“Some rabid animals bite at the slightest provocation,” he said.
Nkabinde said vaccinations are compulsory for all cats and dogs in Soweto that are three months old or older and that have not been immunised in the last month.
Treatment was free in those areas.
