For some time it has been known that the first port of call for persons afflicted with rabies is often the traditional healer rather than the medical clinic. Sometimes even dogs afflicted with rabies are seen as being possessed by spirits. The Isakhiwe Traditional and Faith School of SA. noticed that within their community people are not aware of the effects of rabies and traditional healers are often consulted because people think they might be able to help. Traditional healers wanted this workshop to try to understand the disease and see if there is any way the can be able to help people when they come to them about rabies, both in dogs and people.

 It was therefore a great step forward when the Gauteng Veterinary Services, with the Faculty of Veterinary Science Section VPH, teamed with Dr Vuma of the Isikhiwe School of Tradition and Faith in Soshanguwe, to offer training to traditional healers and volunteers. The workshop taught to recognise the symptoms of rabies in humans and dogs as well as ways to prevent rabies. These trainers will assist the state veterinary services in door-to-door campaigns to encourage people to vaccinate their dogs against rabies.

 A  rabies workshop was held on the 4 of August in the municipal building of Shoshanguwe F West to train the community volunteers and traditional healers about rabies. These and any student volunteers from the Veterinary Faculty who are able to assist, will join the  door to door campaign  from 10-14 August to encourage community members to bring dogs to vaccination  points. Veterinary students are also encouraged to help the state veterinary services at the vaccination points during this time, which culminates on World Rabies Day (14 August).

 The workshop comprised of three sections. The day was opened with prayer and a welcoming address. Dr Nenene Qekwana, a lecturer in the Section Veterinary public Health of the Department of Paraclinical Sciences at the Faculty of Veterinary science of the University of Pretoria explained the symptoms and prevention of rabies in dogs and humans, as well as the difficulties of community extension to the participants. Mr Ali Masipa of Gauteng Veterinary Services  defined rabies and described the symptoms that infection casued in dogs and humans. He highlighted the role of the dog in transmission and how this could be prevented by annual vaccination of dogs and cats. Following this the video “ if only I had known” was shown to delegates. 

 The third part of the workshop included group discussions and great interest was shown in the subject. It was apparent that there was very little knowledge about the disease and how to prevent it in communities. 

The following suggestions were made as a result of the workshop:

·          It was noted that although rabies affects small children and teenagers, much of the information is sent mainly to adults.   It was suggested that the extension focus should target schools children because they are the ones that take care of dogs and cats.

·         Collaboration from the veterinary institutes, government and community is needed to address the risk of rabies in densely populated communities

·         Community clinics do not have rabies vaccine in case of an emergency, except in areas like Kwa-Zulu Natal where there is a high prevalence of rabies and the government needs to be made aware of this.

·         Although there have been rabies outbreaks fairly close to Soshanguwe, in North West Province, there are few posters and pamphlets that makes people aware of rabies within Soshanguwe these are not apparent. It was suggested that  posters should be put up  in places where people normally go in large numbers i.e community halls, sports ground, electricity selling areas and also tuck shops.

Dr Vuma (CEO) of Isikhiwe said in his speech said that this workshop was definitely an eye opener for him personally and that he wants to thank the UP and the State veterinary service for the workshop on rabies. He hoped this collaboration could continue in future.

 The workshop was sponsored by the K.Birch Trust of the University of Pretoria  in collaboration with the State Veterinary Services Gauteng.