This comes after two separate cases of the disease were reported in one month in the western part of the city. Kristan Mojapelo, director of veterinary services at the department, says the first positive case was recorded of a yellow mongoose at the Woodland Hills area while another positive case was reported of a dog in the Tempe area in the city.  A vaccination campaign will soon follow in the Tempe area after vaccinations in the Woodland Hills area kicked off successfully on Monday with owners of mainly dogs and cats who had their pets vaccinated by state veterinarians. 

Whenever positive reactions are picked up in areas, these campaigns are arranged with a certain radius. According to him a total of 23 cases were reported in the Free State of mainly dogs and other wild animals this year. Rabies is a viral disease transmitted by bite wounds of infected wild animals, such as mongoose and red jackals that transmit it to house pets like cats and dogs. Stages of infection include altered behaviour with animals having an abnormal appetite and fever. The infected animal becomes aggressive and becomes progressively paralysed. This disease is mainly transmitted to humans when an animal bites or scratches a person.

OFM News’ Christal-Lize Muller spoke to Mojapelo…

See attached PODCAST

That was Kristan Mojapelo, director of veterinary services at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Free State.

OFM News