WOAH confirmed more than 100 rabies cases in Cape fur seals in South Africa and Namibia since 2024, the first known establishment of the disease in wild marine mammals, with more than 145 human exposures reported as of May 2026.
The sustained transmission of rabies detected in Cape fur seals in southern Africa represents an unprecedented development in the ecology of the disease and raises major questions for wildlife conservation, veterinary public health and preparedness against transboundary diseases, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) warned.
Since 2024, more than 100 rabies cases have been confirmed in Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) in South Africa and Namibia. Retrospective testing and genetic analyses indicate that sustained transmission within the seal population began several years before the disease was detected.
Available evidence suggests that the outbreak originated from a single cross-species transmission event involving a rabies virus variant associated with dogs and maintained by black-backed jackals in southern Africa, followed by continuous transmission among Cape fur seals. This is the first known case of rabies becoming established in a wild marine mammal population.
Affected animals have shown neurological signs, including abnormal aggression toward people and other animals. As of May 2026, more than 145 human exposure incidents had been reported, underscoring the importance of implementing adequate public health measures and post-exposure management.
The event also has broader implications for wildlife health. Cape fur seals live along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia and can travel long distances, creating opportunities for contact with other marine mammal species. Further research is required to better understand the ecological consequences of the outbreak and its possible implications for marine mammal populations in other regions.
The emergence of rabies in Cape fur seals shows how pathogens can adapt to new host species and reinforces the importance of integrated surveillance of wildlife, domestic animals and humans under the One Health approach. Strengthening collaboration among veterinary, wildlife, environmental and public health authorities remains essential for early detection, risk assessment and a coordinated response.
WOAH encourages its Members to maintain surveillance for syndromes compatible with rabies in marine mammals, strengthen wildlife disease surveillance and laboratory diagnosis, ensure adequate protection for personnel handling suspected animals and continue sustained canine vaccination programmes, which remain the cornerstone for preventing dog-transmitted rabies and reducing the risk of transmission to wildlife.
The organization will continue working with its Members and partners to monitor the situation and support preparedness, surveillance and response activities through its expert networks, including the Wildlife Working Group, the Reference Laboratories Network for Rabies and the United Against Rabies Forum.
