07/06/2024
URGENT NOTICE
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
7 JUNE 2024
City cautions public to stay away from seals due to a confirmed rabies case
The City of Cape Town is advising the public to stay away from seals as far as possible, and with immediate effect.
The Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Services has confirmed this afternoon, 7 June 2024, that a Cape Fur Seal off the coast at Big Bay has tested positive for rabies. This seal died on 22 May 2024 and the laboratory results came in earlier today.
As such, the public must take extra precaution to stay away from Cape Fur Seals as far as possible, and to not, under any circumstances, allow their dogs close to these animals. This precaution applies to the entire Cape Peninsula coastline.
Any person bitten by a seal is urged to seek immediate medical attention, and to notify the relevant authorities. The same applies to any pet bitten by a seal.
The authorities will keep on investigating and keep the public informed.
See the following links for recent media releases with more information about rabies:
· https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/dog-rabies-confirmed-cape-peninsula
· https://www.capetown.gov.za/Media-and-news/Public%20cautioned%20to%20be%20alert%20following%20confirmed%20dog%20rabies%20case
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: [email protected].
A case of rabies has been confirmed in a pet dog residing in the Capri area of the Southern Peninsula in Cape Town. The dog exhibited symptoms such as fever and increased aggression. Both the infected dog and a younger dog from the same household, which was injured, were humanely euthanized. The sou...
