'Strange' seal behaviour along CPT shores due to highly infectious cases of rabies

Crystal Orderson speaks to Liz Fish, Carte Blanche Producer about her insert on the increase in cases of seals contracting rabies in the Cape.

In a Carte Blanche episode aired on Sunday (30 June), it was reported that rabies is a highly infectious and deadly disease and at least eight Cape fur seals in the Western Cape have tested positive for.

Given the recent seal attacks along Cape beaches, rabies infections is most likely a reason for the increasingly 'weird,' 'strange' and 'aggressive' seal encounters people have been reportedly experiencing.

Someone who has had a close encounter with a seal infected with rabies described a rabies-infected seal as having 'bloodshot cherry red eyes' with 'manic, strange, crazy' behaviour that's 'like something out of a zombie apocalypse.'

Fish says 'in a way, it's fantastic that we have a diagnosis for rabies... it doesn't mean to say that every seal that acted weirdly has rabies... but the good news is that we know what it is.'

To protect yourself against rabies-infected seals, Fish recommends two things: 

1) Make sure you and your animals are vaccinated for rabies

2) If you are bitten by seals or otters - don't take it lightly - seek help immediately.

If you have been bitten by a seal or otter who behaved 'weirdly,' Fish says it's still important to get vaccinated because once rabies is in a human's system, there's 'nothing they can do for you.'

"If you have been bitten in the last year, still get a vaccine because the virus can stay in your system for a while... and if you are bitten and show symptoms, there's nothing they can do for you." 

- Liz Fish, Producer - Carte Blanche

Fish says the SPCA has a plan to double vaccinate seals along the coast but 'it's tricky' trying to vaccinate them and then track them six months later for a second dose as they move around fast.

Monitoring how effective these rabies vaccines are might also be difficult to track as some vaccinated seals can develop the disease before it's effective, adds Fish.

Overall, it's highly recommended that beachgoers, swimmers and surfers keep their distance should they spot seals or otters - manic or not - they might look cute and chilled but they are still wild animals in their natural habitat. 

"If you see a seal coming at you, get the hell out of there and protect yourself because they don't stop. It's very alarming for everybody who surfs and swims but the good news is, if you get vaccinated quickly and treated quickly after a bite - you'll be okay."

- Liz Fish, Producer - Carte Blanche