Scientists in South Africa have identified an unprecedented rabies outbreak among Cape fur seals, marking the first known instance of the virus spreading in marine mammals. State veterinarian Dr. Lesley van Helden confirmed that tests revealed at least 24 dead or euthanized seals from the country's west and south coasts carried the virus. The rabies found in seals shares genetic similarities to the rabies virus in black-backed jackals in Namibia, indicating the virus might have been transmitted from jackals to seals.
Rabies spreads primarily through saliva via bites but can also transmit when animals groom each other. The outbreak became apparent in June when a rabid seal bit a dog on a Cape Town beach, leading to widespread testing of seal carcasses. Authorities have been mystified by increasing seal aggressiveness over the past three years, though no human infections have been reported. Efforts to vaccinate small seal populations in popular Cape Town harbors have commenced amid concerns about long-term containment.
The discovery poses significant challenges, as seals migrate extensively along Africa's coastline and primarily consume live fish, complicating standard vaccination methods. Experts, including marine biologist Greg Hofmeyr, underscore the pressing need for more research and international collaboration to manage and potentially halt the spread of the virus among seals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesman Dave Daigle stated that while the situation is under observation, it's uncertain if this will become a long-term issue. Uncertainty regarding vaccine effectiveness in seals remains another major concern. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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