Pretoria - Although the outbreak of rabies in some areas mostly in the south of Johannesburg is under control, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says it is continuing with a campaign to vaccinate pets.
New cases of rabies were confirmed in Dobsonville, Soweto, Eldorado and Kibler Park at the weekend.
Departmental spokesman, Makoko Lekola said the outbreak of rabies was under control and they have embarked on a larger scale vaccination programme in the affected and surrounding areas.
"Rabies is a killer disease so everyone is encouraged to bring their pets for vaccination. All dogs and cats over the age of 3 months that were not vaccinated in the last month must be vaccinated.
"This is a free service. The presence of rabies in such a highly populated area can be considered as posing an extremely serious public health risk," he said.
Rabies is a disease affecting the brain and can lead to the death of the person or animal involved. Symptoms vary widely and include behavioural changes, aggressiveness, and paralysis. The virus occurs in great numbers in the saliva of rabid animals.
On Monday, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza visited a vaccination point in Sophiatown where she encouraged residents to vaccinate their pets.
Mayathula-Khoza also encouraged residents to immediately seek medical attention once bitten by an unvaccinated dog.
The department has since established various vaccination points in the affected areas where pets are being vaccinated free of charge.
Makoko said it is compulsory for all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies, adding that failure to vaccinate domestic pets is illegal and a public health risk.
He said members of the public should not touch or caress a strange, injured animal or an animal which appears to be sick.
"Any person or domestic pet, which may have been bitten by strange animals during the last four weeks, are a risk of having contracted rabies.
"This should be reported immediately to your Local State Veterinarian (011) 821-7700) or your local health authority on (011) 226-8300."
