Plett Tourism
The Bitou Municipality said its local beaches remain safe for recreational use despite the recent discovery of rabies in Cape Fur seals.
That is the word from the environmental manager, Anje Minnie, in a joint statement on Wednesday with CapeNature and Plett Tourism Association, to reassure the public after several measures were put in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable season.
Rabies was detected in seals in June for the first time, with positive samples originating from Yzerfontein, on the West Coast, around Cape Town, and along the coast to Plettenberg Bay.
“Plettenberg Bay has had four confirmed cases of rabies and one suspected case amongst a population of approximately 8000,” the joint statement said.
Since the identification in Plett, Bitou Municipality said it has been involved in the national rabies-response workshop in July, and has put systems in place for quick and safe seal carcass removals.
“The municipality has trained all employees on a standard operating procedure and urges the public to follow simple steps to avoid the risk of exposure and enjoy Plett’s beautiful beaches in comfort".
It said an array of local stakeholders who are actively involved have been briefed on how to identify suspect rabid seals and the quickest and most effective response for anyone bitten.
They include Plett shark spotters, Bitou lifeguards, the NSRI, first responders, local doctors, stranding networks, marine tourism companies, law enforcement, CapeNature, SANParks, Bitou Municipality, and local conservation NGOs.
Chanel Visser, a senior marine field ranger for CapeNature and coordinator of the Plett Marine Animal Stranding Network, said residents and visitors are encouraged to practice responsible wildlife viewing practices, while discouraging any actions that may disturb or harm seals.
The public is urged to avoid contact with Cape fur seals encountered at the beach and not feed, approach, or touch them.
The responsibility for keeping our community safe extends to dog owners, with Bitou Municipality temporarily amending the dogs-on-beaches bylaw to ensure that dogs remain leashed at all times to avoid the possibility of a seal encounter.
“Everyone needs to play their part in keeping the Bitou community safe and minimising the spread of the virus.
“However, if a person has been bitten, scratched, or licked by an animal that is suspected of having rabies, they are advised to wash the wound well with soap and running water for 10 minutes and go to the nearest clinic immediately for treatment”.
The statement said there are rabies vaccinations for both humans and dogs, and Plett’s clinics and vets are prepared for such a scenario.
