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On 17 June 2025, the Namibia Ministry of Agriculture confirmed a case of rabies in a Cape fur seal has been detected at the Walvis Bay Lagoon in the Erongo Region.
The affected seal was first observed displaying clinical signs highly suspicious of rabies on 13 June 2025 and later died. Tests confirmed the seal to be positive for rabies.
Rabies is endemic in Namibia, however this is the first report of a marine mammal in Namibia testing positive for rabies. South Africa reported rabies in Cape fur seals in 2024.
The Ministry of Agriculture advise the public to avoid any contact with seals and report any unusual behaviour in seals to the nearest State Veterinary Office.
Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease of the central nervous system caused by the rabies virus. People are infected when saliva from an infected mammal comes into direct contact with broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth), usually from a bite, scratch, or lick.
Rabies is almost invariably fatal once symptoms develop. Only a small number of people with the disease are known to have survived.
Anyone bitten by a seal, or any other animal in Namibia should seek medical advice without delay.
All travellers should be:
Children are more vulnerable to rabies than adults, as they are less likely to understand the risk of interacting with animals, less able to defend themselves from an animal attack and may not report a potential exposure.
All travellers to endemic areas should be aware to carry out immediate wound care and seek medical attention immediately following potential exposure.
Effective rabies vaccines are available and prevent clinical rabies from developing. They can be used pre- and post-exposure.
See the TRAVAX Rabies and Rabies post-exposure guidance pages for further information.
