A recent case in Cape Town where a Cape fur seal tested positive for rabies, has heightened concerns about the rabies risk.
While dogs are the most common transmitters of rabies to humans, other animals like livestock, cats, mongooses, and bats can also carry the disease.
Dr Pete Vincent from Netcare Medicross Tokai highlights that although most rabies cases are seen in KwaZulu-Natal , Eastern Cape, North West, and Limpopo, the Cape Town incident shows the importance of getting any animal bite checked by a doctor.
Previously, seal bites have been considered low risk for rabies however, recent developments indicate the urgent need for post-exposure prophylaxis and antibiotics, as advised by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases NICD, he said.
Dr. Vincent emphasizes the need for immediate rabies vaccination after exposure, which involves several injections over a month.
