Photo: Seals and seabirds share the same habitat, making transmission between them easy. (Photo – Ocean Conservation Namibia)
Cape Fur Seals along Namibia’s coastline may be facing a new and serious threat following the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in a seal in South Africa.
Damian Schreiber, Marine Conservation Communications, Field and Research Officer at Ocean Conservation Namibia (OCN), said scientists are closely monitoring the situation after a rescued Cape Fur Seal in Mossel Bay, South Africa, tested positive for bird flu in April this year. “The seal was in very poor condition and had to be euthanised. Tests later confirmed it was infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza. This is the first recorded case of bird flu in a Cape Fur Seal,” Schreiber explained.
He said the discovery is concerning because Cape Fur Seals are already dealing with rabies outbreaks and a range of human-related threats. According to Schreiber, there is a high risk that the disease could spread among seal populations. ” “Seals live in colonies and are often in close contact with seabirds and one another.”
The virus can spread through direct contact, mucus, droppings, or contaminated water. Seals also occasionally hunt seabirds, which may increase their exposure to the virus,” he said. Scientists are particularly worried that bird flu could reach Namibia’s seal colonies because both seals and seabirds regularly move between South Africa and Namibia along the coastline. “Some suspicious and sometimes aggressive behaviour has already been observed at Namibian seal colonies. However, many colonies are remote and only a small number of animals have been tested, mostly for rabies,” Schreiber said.
Namibia has experienced several bird flu outbreaks among seabirds in recent years. In 2019, more than 500 African Penguins died on Halifax Island and nearby islands. In 2022, over 6 500 Cape Cormorants were lost to the disease, impacting an already endangered species. More recently, Common Terns have also been heavily affected. Warning signs of bird flu in birds include unusual behaviour, seizures, head nodding, cloudy eyes and a lack of fear of humans.
Schreiber said symptoms in seals can include severe lethargy, tremors, seizures, coughing and difficulty breathing. “The disease is always fatal in both seabirds and seals,” he noted. Bird flu was first detected in poultry in 1996. Over time, the virus evolved and began spreading among wild birds by 2020 and later among mammals by 2022. Major outbreaks have since been reported worldwide. In Argentina, more than 17 000 Southern Elephant Seal pups died from the virus in 2023, while significant losses were also recorded in South Georgia in 2024. Recent cases have also been confirmed in marine mammals in California, including Northern Elephant Seals, California sea lions and a southern sea otter. While human infections remain uncommon, Schreiber urged the public to exercise caution. “People should never touch sick, injured or distressed seals and seabirds.
Although human infections are rare, they can cause serious flu-like illness. Any unusual animal behaviour should be reported to Ocean Conservation Namibia or the State Veterinarian immediately,” he said. Authorities and conservation organisations continue to monitor the situation closely as researchers work to determine the extent of the risk to Namibia’s marine wildlife.
By Eileen van der Schyff
