Press Releases
Official press releases that veterinarians and the public should know about.
Rabies discovered in Gauteng jackals & domestic dog
Rabies has been found in four jackals and one unvaccinated domestic dog in Muldersdrift, Komdraai and Lanseria. An intensive dog vaccination campaign has been launched by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Two human exposures had also been reported and both people had received appropriate preventative treatment to prevent disease, National Institute for Communicable Diseases communication...
AHS Confirmed Case in Paarl
8 April 2016: Please find a link to the press release confirming the containment area that is under quarantine due to African Horse Sickness. Please note that although the press release speaks of suspect outbreak, the CASE IS CONFIRMED.
Also note that movement INTO, OUT OF and WITHIN the containment area is restricted, and emergency movements only will be issued with a permit. Horses will be allowed to move out of the controlled area completely, into the infected area of SA (eg to Gauteng) but they will not be allowed back into the containment area.
Media release 1 – 08/08/2014
Veterinarians are the custodians of animal welfare Although destruction of rare antelope such as Situtunga is regrettable, the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) fully supports the actions of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to safeguard South African livestock and wildlife against the possible introduction of new diseases. The SAVA urges DAFF...
Media release 2 – 08/08/2014
Veterinary procedures to curb rhino poaching The dramatic escalation in the number of rhinos poached annually in South Africa is of great concern to the South African Veterinary Association. Drastic counter-measures implying veterinary procedures are sometimes advocated. The welfare of individual animals remains a top priority. Veterinarians have perfected rhino immobilisation techniques, but protocols...