Glenwood community members welcome rabies vaccination drive
Glenwood residents welcomed the free rabies vaccination campaign at Bulwer Park, where cats and dogs were inoculated.
Community members from Glenwood have welcomed a rabies vaccination campaign brought to them by the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Members from the Department were present this morning (October 14) at Bulwer Park in Glenwood to give free vaccinations to cats and dogs. The aim of this initiative is the prevention of the fatal rabies disease. The vaccination drive is done on an annual basis.
According to Animal Health Technician Queen Duma, rabies are a zoonotic disease which affects both animals and humans. It is transferable from infected pets such as dogs and cats, to humans.
Duma said that they were able to gauge the impact of their campaign through the outcomes of the vaccination drives, adding that there had not been any reported positive cases of dogs or cats in the areas they have covered.
“We are able to see this by looking at the response from the community members who are still bringing their pets to us. They do not really have to use this avenue and can take them to the private vets but we have observed that the campaign is effective by not seeing any positive cases arising from the vaccination drives within this ward.”
Duma emphasised that the only way to prevent the rabies disease was through the vaccination of pets because there was no cure for the disease once infected.
“The State is controlling the rabies disease because it is a zoonotic disease that is transferable from animals to humans, and it is fatal.
“The only way your pet can contract rabies disease is if it has not been vaccinated against it. If your pet has been vaccinated against the disease then it is safe. If it has not been vaccinated and gets into contact with another pet that has rabies, then you will see symptoms such as salivating, hallucinations, paralysis on the lower back, hydrophobia and a change of behavior. Do not ignore the signs.”
She said that the symptoms of rabies progressed rapidly.
According to Julie Foster from Glenwood, she was an avid user of these facilities and often brought their cats and dog for their vaccinations annually.
She said that this platform helped her to save money, instead of getting it done through a private vet.
“To pay a private vet is too expensive, from the consultation fee to the vaccine itself. We appreciate what they do.
“I would recommend these services 100%. The people that come and do this for us are very friendly, efficient, helpful and it is free, so why would you not take up the opportunity of coming here!”
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