Free Rabies Vaccination for Dogs and Caras 12 – 16 November

The Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry in conjunction with the Walvis Bay Municipality Health Division will embark upon a vaccination campaign against rabies which will target dogs and cats from the age of three months and upwards.

Rabies is a viral infection of the nervous system common in mammals. It is usually transmitted to humans by bite wounds through animal bites. Dog bites are the source of 99% of human Rabies deaths.
Rabies infection is nearly always fatal unless prompt treatment is administered before symptoms begin.
The rabies virus travels through the nervous system.
Progressive fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord develops. Worldwide, more than 55 000 people die of rabies every year.
The disease progresses to paralysis, spasms of the throat muscles, convulsions and delirium. Without preventive treatment, it is fatal.
Rabies is a vaccine preventable disease and the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people is by eliminating rabies in dogs through vaccinations.
Preventing human rabies through control of domestic dog rabies is a realistic goal for large parts of Africa, and is justified financially by the future savings of discontinuing pest exposure prophylaxis for people.
The programme will kick off on 12 November at the Civic Centre behind the Walvis Bay Town Hall, 13 November at Narraville Municipality Building, 14 November at Kuisebmond Soccer Stadium & 15-16 at Tutaleni Police Station from 08:30 until 16:00.
Residents and pet owners are encouraged to support the campaign by making sure that their pets are vaccinated. It must also be noted that dogs must be leashed and cats must be in carriers or secured in boxes with proper air holes.
Anyone who possesses Veterinary cards can bring them along although it’s not a requirement.
For further information contact the Municipal Health Di-vision at 081 124 1009 /081 124 0502 or 201 3284 or the State Veterinarian at 205313.