IN an effort to curb the spread of rabies, eThekwini Municipality has announced a comprehensive rabies vaccination drive scheduled to take place from July 15 to 17.

Also read: Pawsitive results for rabies vaccination drive

The drive will cover the areas of Montclair, Woodlands, Yellowwood Park and Woodhaven.

Queen Duma, an animal health technician from the Department of Agriculture under the Veterinary Services Directorate, emphasised the importance of this initiative. “Rabies is a highly contagious and fatal zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to both animals and humans through bites or scratches from infected animals,” said Duma. “It is therefore required by state law that all pets, except puppies below three months who receive passive immunity from their mothers, should be vaccinated against rabies.”

The vaccination drive aims to ensure that pets in these areas are protected from rabies. “If a pet is vaccinated, it won’t contract rabies even if bitten by a rabid animal. This spares the pet a painful death and prevents the transmission of the disease to other animals and humans, including pet owners and the broader community,” Duma added.

Rabies is particularly dangerous because there is currently no proven cure or treatment once symptoms appear, both in unvaccinated pets and in humans. This makes prevention through vaccination critically important.

Duma also advises the public to not bring sick or unhealthy animals to the vaccination drive. For more information on proper medical treatment for humans after potential rabies exposure, residents can contact the eThekwini Municipality Environmental Health offices.

This initiative underscores the municipality’s commitment to public health and safety by preventing the spread of rabies in the community.

The dates, times and locations for the vaccination drive are as follows:

July 15 – Montclair
– 09:00 – 10:30: Open Space – Anleno Road next to Mowat Park High School
– 11:00 – 12:00: Park on Donovan Road
– 12:30 – 13:30: Playlot in Bale Avenue

July 16 – Montclair and Woodlands
– 09:00 – 10:30: Open Space – Corner of Wood Road and Windgate Road
– 11:00 – 12:00: Nagel Square opposite Woodlands Pharmacy
– 12:30 – 13:30: Open Space – Corner of Glanville Road and Horace Road

July 17 – Woodhaven and Yellowwood Park
– 09:00 – 10:30: Playlot in Linnet Road next to House No 54
– 11:00 – 12:00: Civic Centre Grounds

For more information, contact the eThekwini State Vet office on 031 328 9300 or the Environmental Health office on 031 311 1000.

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