Prevent Rabies Outbreak: Tips for Surfing Safety in Cape Town - Health

The seaside city of Cape Town in South Africa is facing an unprecedented challenge as a major outbreak of rabies among seals has caused alarm among surfers and beachgoers . The first known significant outbreak of the disease in marine mammals has seen a total of 11 seals test positive for rabies along Cape Town 's coastline.

 Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is primarily transmitted through saliva . Symptoms include fever , pain , and tingling sensations at the wound site . Without immediate medical attention , the virus can lead to fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord , with symptoms appearing anywhere from a week to two years after exposure.

In late 2021 , there was a spike in reported seal attacks on humans , prompting authorities to investigate the cause of the sudden aggression among South African fur seals . While there was only one previous known case of rabies in seals back in 1980 , recent events led to the testing of several seals , which confirmed that nine of them were infected with the disease.

 Surfers and swimmers are now advised to exercise extreme caution and seek medical attention if bitten by a seal . Despite the close contact between seals and humans , there have been no reported cases of humans being infected with rabies from the seals.

Scientists are currently sequencing the rabies virus to determine when and how it entered the seal population . With seals living in dense colonies along the coastline , there are concerns that the disease could become endemic and potentially spread to other mammals in the region.

Moreover , there is ongoing monitoring of seal behavior , with lifeguards and shark spotters instructed to close beaches if aggressive seals are spotted . The public is urged to report any unusual seal behavior and to keep dogs on leashes to prevent potential interactions with the seals.

 While the outbreak has raised fears about the spread of rabies among seals and potentially to other mammals , authorities are taking a proactive approach to monitor and contain the situation . The goal is to prevent any further infections among seals and ensure the safety of humans interacting with these marine mammals in the waters off Cape Town.