Rabies detected in Cape Town seal one of few cases in the world

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has confirmed that a Cape Town seal has rabies.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dr Greg Hofmeyr, a marine mammal biologist at Bayworld in Gqeberha, said there has been a single confirmed case and two suspected cases in the Western Cape only.

“While it is unlikely that many seals have been infected, we should all be careful when responding to live seals ashore, or dealing with seal carcasses.

“If there is a worry that any seal is behaving atypically, or is excessively aggressive, please contact Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) on 072 227 4715.”

According to the Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Veterinary Services; the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE); City of Cape Town Coastal Management, and other partners are working to establish the origin and extent of the outbreak through further sampling and testing.

Once determined, a management plan will be formulated.

Rabies has not been detected in seals in Southern Africa, and this is one of very few detections in seals worldwide.

The department provided the following precautionary measures:

• Avoid all human and animal contact with seals or any wildlife.
• Anyone bitten by a seal should immediately seek medical attention.
• Anyone with an animal bitten by a seal in the past six months should consult the local state veterinarian.
• Report the date and location of the bite event, type of wounds, treatment received, and vaccination status of the animal patient (provide written proof of vaccination and dates, if possible).
• Ensure your animal’s rabies vaccines are up to date. By law, all dogs and cats in South Africa must be vaccinated against rabies by their owners.

The department said rabies is transmitted through direct contact between infected animals, including licking, scratching, nipping and biting. Rabies can be transmitted to people through the lick, scratch or bite of a rabid animal or any saliva contact with broken skin.

If bitten by a suspected rabid animal, clean the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. This is a critical step and should be done immediately. Thereafter, go to a  hospital, emergency room or clinic for further medical attention.