{"id":45960,"date":"2024-06-12T06:03:22","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T04:03:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/city-of-cape-town-warns-public-to-avoid-seals-after-rabies-case-confirmed-20240612\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T01:55:34","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T23:55:34","slug":"city-of-cape-town-warns-public-to-avoid-seals-after-rabies-case-confirmed-20240612","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/city-of-cape-town-warns-public-to-avoid-seals-after-rabies-case-confirmed-20240612\/","title":{"rendered":"City of Cape Town warns public to avoid seals after rabies case confirmed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs 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,\u201d the City says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ: Read the latest print edition of TygerBurger here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe authorities will keep on investigating and keep the public informed,\u201d the City says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spike in rabies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rabies cases in animals are rising in the city, prompting heightened public health alerts and increased vaccination efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The provincial health department confirmed a case of rabies has been confirmed in May in a pet dog residing in the Capri<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d the department says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rabies can be transmitted to people through the lick, scratch, or bite of a rabid animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIf bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies, your first step is to clean the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. This is a critical step and one that you can take immediately. Thereafter, go to the hospital\/emergency room\/clinic to seek further medical attention. Here, you will be assessed and arrangements made for you to receive post exposure prophylaxis, which usually includes a series of rabies vaccinations as well as rabies immunoglobulins (RIGs), depending on the nature of the bite. RIGs are not available everywhere \u2013 the doctor will guide you as to your next step,\u201d the department says.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Vaccinations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFailure 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,\u201d the department says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n