27 Feb 2020

Following the recent Rabies outbreak in Maun, the Department of Veterinary Services will engage in an exercise to kill all unvaccinated stray pets in Maun and surrounding areas effective March 5.

This was said by senior veterinary officer in Maun, Dr Rentin Mafonko when addressing the Maun Administration Authority (MAA) councilors on Wednesday.

Dr Mafonko said the aim was to curb Rabbies outbreak  experienced early this year in Maun. Secondly, Dr Mafonko said they wanted to control dog movement and urged dog owners to take responsibility.

 Rabies is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals and is spread when an infected animal bites or scratches a human or other animal.

He said there had been about 84 reported cases of Rabies between January and February since the outbreak of the diseases in Maun in which 17 cases were positive and three negative.

Dr Mafonko observed that 63 of the reported cases were human exposed.

Nonetheless, he said 9 248 dogs out of  more than 10 000 pets had been vaccinated.

He said the cases were reported in Boseja, Botshabelo, Sedie, Thito, Disaneng in Maun as well as Matlapana, Makalamabedi, Chanoga and Komana.

Regarding Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) update, Dr Mafonko said the department would keep on sensitising the public on vaccination although it had been about two years since the last FMD outbreak.

He said they still experienced challenges of low uptake of the vaccine due to farmers apathy, adding that drought has also led to some cattle straying.

However, he said the department had  taken stringent measures to penalize farmers who failed to vaccinate their cattle. He said such farmers would be fined P5 000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding five years  or both charges including corporal punishment. ENDS