Rabies increases
While research is underway, farmers and others who have experienced incidences of rabies are urged to deliver samples to the authorities.
The occurrence of rabies among Kudus is on the increase, especially east of Windhoek. A renewed call has been made upon farmers and hunting farms to be on the lookout for incidents of rabies among any animals, and to submit samples of animals which might be affected to the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek.
According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) it is necessary to get as many samples as possible not only for kudu, but also for eland, jackals and other wildlife and livestock. The most convenient manner is to submit the head of an animal to the laboratory. “The head can be transported in a strong refuse plastic bag in cool storage. Fresh samples would be ideal, but there is a new method to do tests on samples which are a few days old,” the union said.
The NAU says that care should be taken when working with the dead animal and it is recommended that gloves and a mask are worn in order to prevent contamination. The laboratory should also be informed on which farm the animal was found, the owner of the farm as well as information about the symptoms, and other pertinent details. The project leader of the Kudu/Rabies Research Project, Dr Rainer Hassel can be contacted for further information or to assist with the delivery of the samples to the laboratory. Dr Hassel can be contacted at 061 - 2909331, 081 332 4514, or email him at [email protected].
The contact person at the Central Veterinary Laboratory is Dr Jolandie van der Westhuizen, the section head of pathology, parasitology and virology diagnostics and she can be reached at Windhoek, 237684.
STAFF REPORTER
According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) it is necessary to get as many samples as possible not only for kudu, but also for eland, jackals and other wildlife and livestock. The most convenient manner is to submit the head of an animal to the laboratory. “The head can be transported in a strong refuse plastic bag in cool storage. Fresh samples would be ideal, but there is a new method to do tests on samples which are a few days old,” the union said.
The NAU says that care should be taken when working with the dead animal and it is recommended that gloves and a mask are worn in order to prevent contamination. The laboratory should also be informed on which farm the animal was found, the owner of the farm as well as information about the symptoms, and other pertinent details. The project leader of the Kudu/Rabies Research Project, Dr Rainer Hassel can be contacted for further information or to assist with the delivery of the samples to the laboratory. Dr Hassel can be contacted at 061 - 2909331, 081 332 4514, or email him at [email protected].
The contact person at the Central Veterinary Laboratory is Dr Jolandie van der Westhuizen, the section head of pathology, parasitology and virology diagnostics and she can be reached at Windhoek, 237684.
STAFF REPORTER
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article