Rabies Kills 26 Children In Limpopo
POLOKWANE- Twenty seven people have died in Limpopo since rabies broke out in the province in September last year. All the victims were children younger than 14 years, except for one woman who was 28-years-old.
The disease is said to be spreading to other areas.
In the meantime state veterinarians have asked the Limpopo people to have their cats and dogs inoculated– this is being done free of charge.
The first rabid animals were found in Vhembe in the former Venda. It was the first time in 30 years that rabies occurred in the area. Many different animals contracted the disease, including cats and dogs, jackals, mongoose, rabbits, kudu, cattle, donkeys and goats. It was also found in pigs, a first for Limpopo. Since the outbreak 27 000 dogs in the most affected area have already been inoculated, but the disease continues.
Edwin Dyason, a doctor and Limpopo deputy director for Animal Health, says: “The reason why there is a susceptible dog population for rabies is that the dogs have not been vaccinated for quite some time. Also there's been quite an increase in numbers of dogs in this area, as well as stray dogs that is running around."
Rabid animals have also been found in Tzaneen and Phalaborwa, and five rabid dogs were put to sleep in the north of the Kruger National Park. Rabid animals were also found at Steilloop between Mokopane and Botswana where two people have died.
The disease is said to be spreading to other areas.
In the meantime state veterinarians have asked the Limpopo people to have their cats and dogs inoculated– this is being done free of charge.
The first rabid animals were found in Vhembe in the former Venda. It was the first time in 30 years that rabies occurred in the area. Many different animals contracted the disease, including cats and dogs, jackals, mongoose, rabbits, kudu, cattle, donkeys and goats. It was also found in pigs, a first for Limpopo. Since the outbreak 27 000 dogs in the most affected area have already been inoculated, but the disease continues.
Edwin Dyason, a doctor and Limpopo deputy director for Animal Health, says: “The reason why there is a susceptible dog population for rabies is that the dogs have not been vaccinated for quite some time. Also there's been quite an increase in numbers of dogs in this area, as well as stray dogs that is running around."
Rabid animals have also been found in Tzaneen and Phalaborwa, and five rabid dogs were put to sleep in the north of the Kruger National Park. Rabid animals were also found at Steilloop between Mokopane and Botswana where two people have died.
posted by Kruger2Canyons.com at
Thursday, July 20, 2006
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