CONFIRMED RABIES CASE IN THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND | GDARD |

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CONFIRMED RABIES CASE IN THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND | GDARD |
Rabies
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CONFIRMED RABIES CASE IN THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND

The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) would like to inform the public of an outbreak of Rabies in the Cradle of Humankind area. The outbreak was first diagnosed in five (5) jackals between the 26th of June and the 5th of July 2021.

Rabies is an infectious neurological disease affecting the brain and is almost always fatal to both people and animals. There is no treatment once a person has developed clinical signs. Symptoms vary widely and include behavioural changes, aggressiveness, and paralysis. Symptoms can occur from 7 days to 6 months after being infected with the virus.

The Department wishes to further re-emphasize the following:
  • It is compulsory for all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against Rabies. Failure to vaccinate domestic pets is illegal and is a public health risk.
  • Members of the public should avoid touching or caressing strange, injured, or sick animals.
  • Any person or domestic pet which has been bitten by a strange animal, should immediately contact their local State Veterinarian or Local Government Health Authority.
  • Pets which have not been vaccinated against rabies, should immediately be taken to the nearest private Veterinarian for a Health check and be vaccinated.
  • People should avoid contact with wildlife like jackals and honey badgers. If bitten by these animals, please contact these vet services numbers
Dr Jaison Mpofu on 072 900 0869
Estelle Visser on 082 336 9202
To ensure that there is a high degree of immunity against Rabies amongst the pet population; the department is planning to conduct a booster vaccination campaign at the following venues on the dates as indicated. The public is therefore advised to bring their dogs and cats to be vaccinated. There is no cost to the pet owner for this public service.
DateTimeVaccination Point
Tuesday
21/08/10		14h30 – 16h30Ori Nature Reserve (at the entrance)
Wednesday
2021/08/11		14h00-16h001. Hartford Post OfficeLanseria
2. Muldersdrift Medical Centre
3. Bidon Bistro
Thursday
2021/08/12		14h00 – 16h301. Kromdraai Cash store
2. Oaktree Garage
All dogs and cats over the age of three months that were not vaccinated for Rabies in the last month must be vaccinated. The public can choose between having the vaccination of their pets done by their private veterinarian or by the State.
The presence of Rabies in an area must always be
considered as extremely serious.

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