Govt says KZN rabies on decline, goes all out to tackle problem

Other sources report, however, that the DAEA insists cases of rabies are actually declining.

KZN DAEA spokesperson, Jeffrey Zikhali, said that during 2012, 350 animals suspected of rabies infection had been put down and their carcasses tested for the disease. Of these, 107 tested positive for rabies. An eight-year old boy recently died of suspected rabies and a young Underberg farmer is still fighting for his life after reportedly contracting the disease. Local Veterinarian Dr Ariena Shepherd expressed shock at the extent of the rabies incidents in the Midlands and northern areas of the province. "...I'm concerned that government doesn't seem to be taking this epidemic serious enough," she told Farmers Weekly.

According to The Daily News, government insists that cases of Rabies in the province are actually declining. DAEA spokesperson Jeffrey Zikhali said the province was "currently experiencing the longest period of continuous downward trend in the animal cases in its history". He said the disease has been more than halved in the past three years - from 473 animal cases down to 185 per year.

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