Seals Test Positive for Rabies, Attack Beachgoers in South Africa

As the popular tourist resort of Cape Town reported an unusual epidemic of rabies in animals, ferocious attacks on beachgoers by seals with bright-red, demonic eyes began.

Eleven Cape Fur Seals tested positive for the fatal virus, making this the second reported instance of the sickness in these marine mammals.

According to scientists, anyone in South Africa who has been hurt by a seal should see a doctor immediately. Therapy or a vaccine should be provided within twenty-four hours after a bite to prevent the illness from progressing to a lethal stage.

Concerns that the sea animals would start transmitting the incurable illness to humans have been stoked by many accounts of them unprovokedly biting surfers.

Humans and dogs are both at risk of contracting the avoidable viral illness rabies via bitten or scratched animals. If not addressed quickly, it may lead to serious illness or even death. In order to avoid severe symptoms caused by the virus, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is crucial.

About 60,000 Americans get PEP per year, yet only 1-3 instances are documented in the US. With the exception of organ and tissue donation, no human-to-human transmissions have been proven. The only way to get the virus is to come into touch with infected bodily fluids or tissue. Tainted items or materials cannot transfer the infection.

It could take anywhere from ten days to seven years for symptoms to appear. The average is three to twelve weeks.

Hydrophobia, or a fear of water, is the most prevalent symptom. Other possible symptoms include excessive salivation, headaches, seizures, a sensitive bite area, emotional changes, irritation, vomiting, muscle spasms, numbness, or tingling. Symptoms may also include fever (102°F or below) and hallucinations.

Since seals are usually amiable towards people, the increase in assaults on them has biologists baffled and wondering what’s going on.

At first, they blamed a naturally occurring neurotoxic produced by sea algae for the altered behavior. Further investigations revealed that the behaviors were caused by rabies, a disease that had not been seen in seals for forty years. So far, it seems that the illness has remained in the seal population.