MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A Cape fur seal captured from The Point on 9 April has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (Hpai), a historic first not only in Mossel Bay, but in the country.
This is according to Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (Smart), who announced the positive test in a post on its Facebook page on Thursday evening, 7 May.
The seal had been captured from The Point by volunteers of Smart and the personnel from the Hartenbos Animal Hospital.
The hospital previously told Mossel Bay Advertiser that while the seal showed no visible clinical signs of neurological disease, she did show clinical signs of a respiratory problem, had laboured breathing and was uncomfortable lying on her sides.
She was euthanised and samples were then sent to the state veterinarian to test for rabies and Hpai. A positive result for rabies came back on 17 April and now, the result for Hpai has also returned positive.
Smart said this means the country should now be aware of a second, extremely serious disease affecting Cape fur seals.
“Our hope is that this particular Hpai strain will not have a major impact on the Cape fur seal population along our coasts. Other strains in South America and the Southern Ocean have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of seals and have even affected the conservation status of elephant seals,” said Smart in a statement to the Advertiser.
Public cautioned to awareness
The organisation said that the virus is airborne, and highlighted the importance of proper PPE when handling Cape fur seals.
“It is also important for everyone walking on beaches or rocky shorelines to remain aware of these two serious contagious diseases affecting Cape fur seals. Please stay vigilant and keep your distance from all seals.”
Smart has also encouraged people not to approach or handle seabirds.
The Advertiser has sent a media enquiry to the Western Cape Department of Agriculture regarding the positive Hpai result. When received, the department’s comment will be published.
If you see any seals either behaving unusually or appearing to be in distress, call Smart immediately on 072 227 4715. To report seabirds in distress, contact the Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre (Saprec) on 082 364 3382.
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