Rabies awareness
Vaccinations drive by BCM
DUE to an increasingly high number of dog bites reported to the local clinic, a three-day rabies awareness campaign was organised by BCM Municipal Health Services in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture.
The campaign was a success and has seen a total of 370 dogs and 24 cats vaccinated in Qalashe, Acorn Valley and Breidbach.
Rabies is an acute, infectious disease and is often fatal for most warm-blooded animals, especially wolves, cats and dogs.
It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected animals.
It attacks the central nervous system and people affected by rabies experience convulsions and an aversion to water.
BCM Environmental Health practitioner Nasipi Nqeketo was accompanied to the awareness talks by colleagues Vuyokazi Mqoboli and Thandolwethu Dlabantu. She said they were responsible for health matters in Wards 25, 35 and 44. They got involved in the vaccination campaign after a visit to the Breidbach clinic.
“During a routine visit to the Breidbach clinic the operational manager Sister Yoliswa Qamba stressed concern over the high number of dog bite incidents reported at the clinic and requested that we intervene and conduct awareness [talks] on rabies,” Nqeketo said.
“We than teamed up with Department of Agriculture animal health technicians Nomsa Xilongo and Mnoneleli Cengani and we planned the vaccination and awareness campaign, went around the areas to educate the communities about rabies informing them to keep their pets in the yard as well as how to act in the case of a dog bite incident.”
Xilongo said: “We received a very good response and cooperation from the communities while performing our duties and would like to request those pet owners who missed out on the opportunity to visit our offices in Zwelitsha.
“The services are free, just bring your pet and we will assist.”
An elated Qamba commended the stakeholders involved and described the campaign as a phenomenal success.
“The vaccination campaign was a huge success after an outcry by the clinic due to the increasing number of dog bites especially in the Breidbach area,” Qamba said. “Prevention is better than cure.” Breidbach dog owner Jonathan Brecht was thankful for the outreach.
“I took all three my dogs for vaccination, informed my family and friends and am over the moon that the authorities came to us. It shows they do care about our pets,” Brecht said.