Pet owners in White River flocked in numbers for free Rabies vaccinations for their dogs and cats in White River. The two-day vaccination took place from Thursday, 22 March 2018, at a parking lot at the Shoprite Centre. Local residents defied the odds against a cold rainy weather and heeded the call to bring their best friends for free vaccination against the disease. This as the Department continues in its efforts to make efforts to guard against any possible outbreak.
Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause brain inflammation. Although survival is possible, the virus almost kills its host. It grows in the muscle tissue before moving into the spinal cord and brain. Its transmission is typically through physical contact. Once it enters the saliva glands and produces foaming of the mouth, it is considered advanced and highly contagious. World Rabies Day is observed every year on September 28th, to raise awareness about the disease, and to highlight progress in defeating it.