Scientists in South Africa say they have identified an outbreak of rabies in seals that is believed to be the first time the virus has spread

It’s the world’s first significant rabies infection in marine mammals. And it has scientists – and beachgoers – worried.

Scientists in South Africa have identified an outbreak of rabies in Cape fur seals, marking the first time the virus has spread among sea mammals. The virus is believed to have been transmitted from jackals in Namibia.

Scientists identify first known outbreak of rabies in seals - Tests on dead Cape fur seals in South Africa have shown some had rabies