In June 2024, an outbreak of rabies was detected in Cape fur seals in Cape Town. Since then, over 70 cases of rabies in Cape fur seals have been confirmed all along the coasts of the Western and Northern Cape Provinces. Sequencing of rabies viruses from the seals show that the outbreak started from a single spillover event from a rabid land mammal, and transmission is now being maintained within the seal population. The emergence of a new rabies reservoir in the ocean poses challenges for rabies management in animals and people, both locally and internationally. Dr Lesley van Helden gives an update about the current situation and what vets need to know.

Presented by:

Dr Lesley van Helden
State Veterinarian: Epidemiology
Western Cape Department of Agriculture