Rabid seals are apparently now a problem we have to worry about.
And water-loving residents in Cape Town have understandably been set on edge by the encounters.
Usually, surfers would enjoy the interaction.
Cape fur seals swimming in the sea near Simon’s Town in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 9, 2022.© Lyu Tianran/Xinhua via Getty Images
But now everyone was paddling as fast as they could to get away.
So Oelofse and his team decided to look further back.
So far, theyve detected nine total cases of seal rabies.
So this could very well signal the first major outbreak of the viral disease seen among water-dwelling mammals.
For the time being, though, the danger to humans looks to be low.
We dont know why.
Perhaps the transfer rate is low?
Does salt water in their mouth reduce the viral load?
In the meantime, people are being asked to stay wary of any seal that seems to be off.
A relaxed seal is unlikely to pose a threat.
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