The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in the Northern Cape has embarked on Rabies vaccination and awareness campaigns in the Namakwa District. The campaign commenced with vaccinations of dogs and cats in the remote areas.
The campaign continued with the Scientific Evening where Prof Lucille Blumberg from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) presented a scientific lecture to the Namaqualand Medical professionals and Allied Health Workers as well as Veterinarians. Prof Blumberg emphasised that Rabies is 100% preventable but 100% fatal when people show clinical signs and that it can be overcomed, if veterinary services and health workers work together. She admired the excellent relationship that exists between animals and human health in the Northern Cape. She also outlined the different categories of bites, and how various categories should be handled by medical professionals. The programme continues next week with vaccinations of pets in the springbok area and notices of vaccination at service points were put out in various areas and also local Community Development Workers (CDWs) were notified. As part of boosting the campaign the Department partnered with number of sponsors for the Namakwa Quest marathon. The Namakwa Quest Marathon is a four day stage marathon which took place from the 28th until the 31st of August 2013 in the Springbok area. As part of the awareness campaign the Department will also sponsor the Daisy marathon which took place on the 7th of September in Springbok. The initiative is part of the awareness programme and in the hope that this will further persuade communities to present their pets in the springbok area for vaccination. About 288 cases of rabies has been reported to date since 1996 in the Northern Cape. The Department wishes to applaud the communities that presented their animals for vaccination as it is the right thing to do. The rabies vaccinations campaigns across the province started on the 19 of August and will end on the 30th of September 2013. Enquiries: Phemelo Manankong – External Communications Officer Tel: 053 839 7881 Cell: 071 889 5112 Email: pmanankong@ncpg.gov.za