The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will initiate a massive immunization campaign against rabies.
The immunization campaign will begin on Thursday, September 1, 2022.
This is because the agency has urged pet owners throughout the province to take precautions and bring their animals to the closest state veterinary clinic for immunization.
“The subject for this year’s campaign is ‘Zero by 30: Our catalytic reaction,’ which is part of the department’s global objective of eliminating human dog-mediated rabies deaths globally by 2030.
Despite the fact that rabies is entirely preventable, the government cautioned that an estimated 59 000 people die annually from the disease.
One person dies every nine minutes, 40% of which are children residing in Africa and Asia.
The sickness is caused by a virus that attacks the neurological system of both animals and humans, causing death. The virus enters the body from the saliva of infected animals through a bite wound or via direct contact with the mucous membranes of animal or human victims.
“The exposure may include bites, but it is crucial to note that even minor nicks that break the skin or licks of the eyes, nose, and mouth are considered exposure,” stated the department.
In a positive rabies case, the clinical symptoms are associated to a malfunctioning neurological system and are characterized as either “stupid form” or “aggressive form.”
In the dumb form, the animals exhibit lethargy and develop facial paralysis, but in the aggressive form, they exhibit tremendous hostility and, since they are facially paralyzed, they tend to generate a great deal of infectious saliva.
Certain animals may have simple hindquarter paralysis.
The department stated that all domestic animals and humans are susceptible to rabies and that humans are extremely susceptible to the disease. “Experts say it is important for communities to be aware that all domestic animals and humans are susceptible to rabies and that humans are extremely susceptible to the disease.”
Members of the community are also encouraged to report any suspected symptoms of rabies in humans to any health facility in the province. – SAnews.gov.za