More efforts are needed from all role players to yield positive results in the fight against rabies. This is according to MEC for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’ Mr Norman Shushu.
MEC Shushu was addressing Veterinarians, Medical Doctors, nurses and other allied medical professionals at a scientific evening held in Kimberley.
The purpose of the evening was to provide scientific information and to share new approaches on scientific methods with Veterinarians, Medical Doctors, nurses and other allied medical professionals. It was also part of celebrating World Rabies Day that is been celebrated annually on the 28 of September.
MEC Shushu highlighted that through its state of the art Veterinary vehicles, now the department can easily access rural and far flung areas that were denied veterinary health services before.
World Rabies Day was launched in 2007 with the aim of raising awareness about the public health impact of humans and animals’ rabies.
The theme for this year’ scientific evening - “Rabies: Zero by 30. The common goal around the theme is zero human death from canine rabies by the year 2030 as agreed by World Health Organization (WHO), Organization for Animal Health (OIE), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Global Alliance for Rabies Control.
Amongst topics shared at the scientific evening were;
- “Rabies in the Northern Cape and challenges in Wildlife by Dr Wonderful Shumba Northern Cape Veterinary Laboratory.
- Diagnosis of animal’s rabies – an update tools for surveillance” Dr Claude Sabeta - Agricultural Research Council
- Why are still seeing Rabies death in 2017 by Professor Lucille Blumberg – National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
The event was attended by about 120 people. END
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