DEPT NOTIFIED OF SUSPICIOUS CAPE FUR SEAL
The department was notified of a suspicious Cape Fur Seal in the West Coast, not too far from the border within the Western Cape province on the 28th of August 2024. Officials were dispatched to collect samples which were confirmed positive on the 5th of September 2024.
The department has already informed all necessary stakeholders and is working closely with DFFE to determine the extent of the outbreak by increasing surveillance and sampling along the entire coastline, where there are Seal colonies starting from today ,10th of September 2024.
The department will shortly embark on a public awareness campaign in the West Coast towns targeting schools, the communities, fishermen and tourist areas.
A mass vaccination campaign of domestic pets is planned from the 16th of September 2024 until the 20th of September 2024 and there is enough vaccine stock to cover this campaign.