A seal found at Sardinia Bay in Gqeberha has tested positive for rabies, marking the first confirmed case in the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident is the second recorded case in the Eastern Cape, following a confirmed case in Jeffreys Bay late last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to marine mammal biologist Dr Greg Hofmeyr of Bayworld, the latest incident occurred at Sardinia Bay on 8 January, during the late afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe seal was reported by a member of the public to the lifeguards on duty and they contacted me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The animal was found to be displaying abnormal behaviour, prompting concern among officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe seal was suspected of being rabid because it had good body condition and yet was having seizures and was foaming at the mouth,” said Hofmeyr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe collected a sample on the 9th of January, and we received the results on the 26th of January. This is the first case confirmed for Gqeberha.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The test confirmed the presence of rabies, marking the first confirmed case in a seal in Gqeberha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Hofmeyr added that the closest prior case and the first recorded case in the Eastern Cape, occurred in Jeffreys Bay on 16 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFour other seals with similar symptoms were recorded in the wider area during the same week. However, three tested negative and we could not recover the carcass for the fourth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authorities have again urged members of the public to avoid contact with seals or any wildlife displaying unusual behaviour and to report such incidents to lifeguards or local authorities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A seal found at Sardinia Bay in Gqeberha has tested positive for rabies, marking the first confirmed case in the city and the second in the 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