Ishmael Modiba

The Department of Agriculture and Land Reform will be conducting an anti-rabies vaccination campaign in the province.

The campaign by the department’s veterinary services will be run across the province.

Department spokesperson Phemelo Manankong said the campaign sought to create awareness about this fatal but preventable disease.

“Rabies is a disease which people can get from animals and is caused by a virus which affects the brain. It also causes death in most instances,” he said.

He added that the virus was found in saliva and spread by the bite of an infected animal.

The health department reported 543 cases of animal bites in the province between April 2010 to August, 2011.

Manankong said in all but one incident, no rabies or any other animal disease was contracted. “In October last year, a man died of rabies after being bitten by a mongoose in Carnarvon,” he said.

The department has appealed to communities to vaccinate their animals and protect themselves.

He advised animal owners to vaccinate twice in the first year and then every three years.

“The vaccine is safe and will not make your animals sick.”

The blitz will serve as a build up programme towards World Rabies Day, on September 28.

mapam@thenewage.co.za