In response to these challenges, the FACE One Health programme has launched an awareness and advocacy initiative in the rural community of Ga-Mampa village in Limpopo, one of the key sites where the One Health team conducts bat pathogen research. Other research areas include Gauteng. Launched in 2024, the initiative includes vaccination and sterilisation campaigns for dogs, educational workshops, and community outreach activities designed to shift mindsets around animal care, zoonotic risks and public health. Workshops feature mini-presentations on rabies and bats, illustrating the connections among animal, human and environmental health. Together, these activities raise awareness, promote practical action and strengthen local capacity. Rabies is one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases, claiming the lives of both humans and animals. Yet it is entirely preventable through vaccination and timely treatment. In South Africa alone, 344 laboratoryconfirmed animal cases were reported countrywide; human fatalities also persist, most commonly due to exposure to infected dogs in hotspots like Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Free State or Lesotho border. Lack of awareness, inadequate vaccination of companion animals and poor access to post-exposure care in rural communities all contribute to the ongoing risk. Studies show that while many people have heard of rabies, important knowledge gaps persist around fatality, source animals and appropriate medical response. In areas such as Limpopo, rabies continues to be endemic, posing a risk to both people and livestock. Pet Health Care: Building Resilient Communities 13 Future Africa Community Engagement in One Health
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