Source: Daily Maverick
A rabies outbreak among Cape fur seals along South Africa’s western and southern coasts has resulted in at least 176 recorded human bites, with researchers warning that attacks on people and dogs could increase. The disease is now considered endemic in Cape fur seals and represents the first documented rabies outbreak in a free-ranging marine mammal species. Scientists are particularly concerned about transmission to other marine mammals, including southern elephant seals, Antarctic fur seals, crabeater seals, and leopard seals.
Mass vaccination of Cape fur seals is currently considered impractical because the population numbers between 1.5 million and two million animals across roughly 40 breeding colonies. Strategic vaccination is being used for certain seals, including vagrant southern elephant seals. Although none of the recorded seal-bite victims has died, researchers warn that continued spread could threaten public health, marine tourism, recreation, and vulnerable wildlife populations extending toward Antarctica.