Durban — The Kloof and Highway SPCA visited Etshelihle Primary School in Claremont ahead of World Rabies Day which is celebrated on Wednesday.
The theme for this year’s World Rabies Day is Rabies: One health, Zero deaths.
The SPCA stated that rabies is currently a very serious problem in South Africa, with outbreaks in animals occurring in all nine provinces.
The SPCA warned that high-risk dog rabies cycles are present in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and on the Free State-Limpopo border.
Hot spots for KZN Veterinary Services are Durban (180 cases this year so far) and the KZN coast of rural communities (323 cases, with two human deaths so far this year).
Hammarsdale is an area where there is an increase in numbers that are expected to grow considerably.
The Kloof and Highway SPCA dealt with 51 positive cases of rabies between January and August 2022.
The Kloof SPCA inspector Israel Silevu and Janine Kyle presented SPCA Animal Warrior bracelets to the children while they spent time outside learning about vaccinating animals against rabies and caring for their pets. The school children were handed booklets about caring for their animals and also awareness of rabies.
The entire junior primary section of the school was given a talk and slide show in the hall.
Kyle said the children were happy to see the pictures of the animals and were given the opportunity to ask questions and were also invited to answer questions.
“Coming together is key to disease elimination. Rabies exemplifies the interconnection between the health of humans, animals and the environment, and this year the focus is on its elimination for World Rabies Day,” Kyle said.
KZN Veterinary Services and the South African Veterinary Association encourage South Africans from all walks of life to vaccinate their dogs and cats.
The Kloof and Highway SPCA will be hosting a rabies clinic for the public on Sunday, October 2.
Daily News