Rabies outbreak: Huge vaccination campaign

THE City of Windhoek has launched a vaccination campaign after an outbreak of rabies was confirmed at the weekend.

City of Windhoek spokesperson Ndangi Katoma told The Namibian yesterday that since the beginning of the year, 38 out of 57 dogs tested had rabies. During the same period 17 cattle were tested, of which 10 were positive, while two out of the five sheep tested were found to have rabies.Katoma said rabies was also detected in eight kudus since January.After a meeting between the Municipality, the State Veterinary Service, the SPCA and various private and State veterinarians on Friday, Katoma said the parties drafted a plan of action to mount a city-wide vaccination campaign against rabies tomorrow.Various centres in and around the city will be open for vaccination and dog and cat owners are requested to take their animals for vaccination, which will be done free of charge.Katoma said the State would make available the rabies vaccines to be used in tomorrow’s campaign.An appeal has also been made to farmers to ensure that their livestock are vaccinated against rabies.Rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord of all mammal species, including people.It has no cure.Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals – usually through bite wounds, but any contact with infected saliva is dangerous.Rabid animals display uncharacteristic behaviour – domestic animals become wild and aggressive, while wild animals often appear tame.Other symptoms are drooling, a staggering gait or paralysis.Rabies is endemic in Namibia, with a high prevalence in the central and northern regions.Vaccination against rabies will take place at the following points between 14h30 and 19h00 tomorrow: -Maxuilili Community Centre -Okuryangava Municipal Office -Greenwell Matongo Community Centre -Wanaheda Municipal Office -Katutura Customer Care (Municipal Office) -Soweto Market -Katutura Woermann & Brock Shopping Centre -Katutura Magistrate Court -Single Quarters Municipal office -BG Spar (Khomasdal) -Dorado Valley -Swabou Building (Windhoek West) -Khomasdal Municipal office -Park Food in Khomasdal -Pelican Square (Hochland Park) -Kingfisher Court (Hochland Park) -Baines Centre (Pioniers Park) -Lolo Park Olympia Woermann & Brock -Hidas Centre (Klein Windhoek) -State Veterinary Office near Kenya House.The SPCA and all private veterinary practices will also carry out the vaccination at no cost.During the same period 17 cattle were tested, of which 10 were positive, while two out of the five sheep tested were found to have rabies.Katoma said rabies was also detected in eight kudus since January.After a meeting between the Municipality, the State Veterinary Service, the SPCA and various private and State veterinarians on Friday, Katoma said the parties drafted a plan of action to mount a city-wide vaccination campaign against rabies tomorrow.Various centres in and around the city will be open for vaccination and dog and cat owners are requested to take their animals for vaccination, which will be done free of charge.Katoma said the State would make available the rabies vaccines to be used in tomorrow’s campaign.An appeal has also been made to farmers to ensure that their livestock are vaccinated against rabies.Rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord of all mammal species, including people.It has no cure.Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals – usually through bite wounds, but any contact with infected saliva is dangerous.Rabid animals display uncharacteristic behaviour – domestic animals become wild and aggressive, while wild animals often appear tame.Other symptoms are drooling, a staggering gait or paralysis. Rabies is endemic in Namibia, with a high prevalence in the central and northern regions.Vaccination against rabies will take place at the following points between 14h30 and 19h00 tomorrow: -Maxuilili Community Centre -Okuryangava Municipal Office -Greenwell Matongo Community Centre -Wanaheda Municipal Office -Katutura Customer Care (Municipal Office) -Soweto Market -Katutura Woermann & Brock Shopping Centre -Katutura Magistrate Court -Single Quarters Municipal office -BG Spar (Khomasdal) -Dorado Valley -Swabou Building (Windhoek West) -Khomasdal Municipal office -Park Food in Khomasdal -Pelican Square (Hochland Park) -Kingfisher Court (Hochland Park) -Baines Centre (Pioniers Park) -Lolo Park Olympia Woermann & Brock -Hidas Centre (Klein Windhoek) -State Veterinary Office near Kenya House.The SPCA and all private veterinary practices will also carry out the vaccination at no cost.