The City of Cape Town is advising the public to stay away from seals as far as possible after a Cape Fur Seal off the coast at Big Bay has tested positive for rabies.
The Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Services has confirmed the Cape Fur Seal died on 22 May and the laboratory results came in on 7 June.
“As such, the public must take extra precaution to stay away from Cape Fur Seals as far as possible, and to not, under any circumstances, allow their dogs close to these animals,” the City says.
This precaution applies to the entire Cape Peninsula coastline. Any person bitten by a seal is urged to seek immediate medical attention, and to notify the relevant authorities.
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The same applies to any pet bitten by a seal. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) hotline doctors have been advised to recommend Post Exposure Prophylaxis for anyone who is bitten by a seal.
“The authorities will keep on investigating and keep the public informed,” the City says.
Spike in rabies
Rabies cases in animals are rising in the city, prompting heightened public health alerts and increased vaccination efforts.
The provincial health department confirmed a case of rabies has been confirmed in May in a pet dog residing in the Capri area of the Southern Peninsula in Cape Town. The dog exhibited symptoms such as fever and increased aggression. Both the infected dog and a younger dog from the same household, which was injured, were humanely euthanised.
“The source of the infection is currently unclear, none of the dogs in the household had a recent travel history outside the province. Rabies is not endemic in wild animals in the City of Cape Town, with the closest wildlife cases in the past reported in the Paarl area,” the department says.
The primary risk of rabies introduction comes from the movement of infected dogs, which can then spread the virus through contact with other dogs in public spaces or through fences. Rabies is transmitted through direct contact between dogs, including licking, scratching, nipping, and biting.
Rabies can be transmitted to people through the lick, scratch, or bite of a rabid animal.
Vaccinations
Rabies outbreaks can be entirely prevented by vaccinating dogs and cats. By law, all dogs and cats in South Africa must be vaccinated against rabies by their owners.
“Failure to vaccinate pets can result in the animals being euthanised if they come into contact with a rabid animal, and owners may be held liable for any damage caused if their animal becomes rabid,” the department says.
- Visit the rabies awareness website for more information about rabies and how you vaccinate your pets against rabies.
