KZN to extend anti-rabies drive
KwaZulu-Natal authorities are gearing up for another bout of anti-rabies drives from next month.
The Department of Agriculture says 10 cases of the virus in dogs have been reported in the province so far this year.
Officials say they want to try and prevent the current outbreak from spreading even further.
Agriculture's Phathisa Mfuyo says they will carry out vaccination programmes as well as campaigns to education people about the dangers of interacting with strange animals.
"Rabies can be stopped, we don't have to lose human lives to rabies," she said.
"Ensure you go to the hospital immediately if you are bitten by a dog and ensure that you finish the treatment that you are given at the clinic."
Meanwhile, the SPCA's Tanya Fleischer says eight people, including six children, died as a result of the virus last year.
More than 200 animals were killed.
Fleischer identified some of the warning signs that an animal could have rabies.
"Domestic animals start showing signs of aggression."
She says they also howl often, salivate and have a lack of co-ordination.
Officials say they want to try and prevent the current outbreak from spreading even further.
Agriculture's Phathisa Mfuyo says they will carry out vaccination programmes as well as campaigns to education people about the dangers of interacting with strange animals.
"Rabies can be stopped, we don't have to lose human lives to rabies," she said.
"Ensure you go to the hospital immediately if you are bitten by a dog and ensure that you finish the treatment that you are given at the clinic."
Meanwhile, the SPCA's Tanya Fleischer says eight people, including six children, died as a result of the virus last year.
More than 200 animals were killed.
Fleischer identified some of the warning signs that an animal could have rabies.
"Domestic animals start showing signs of aggression."
She says they also howl often, salivate and have a lack of co-ordination.