Wildlife authorities in South Africa have issued urgent warnings to the public to avoid contact with coastal wildlife and refrain from touching or moving sick or dead seabirds, as a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza continues to devastate marine bird populations along the Western Cape.

The outbreak, which has caused significant mortality among vulnerable seabird species, is being monitored closely due to the risk of the virus crossing the species barrier to infect humans.

Conservation bodies like CapeNature and SANCCOB are urging beachgoers to report suspected cases of the disease, providing specific guidelines for documenting affected areas and contacting relevant authorities.

The public is advised to maintain a safe distance from distressed wildlife, avoid rescuing sick birds, and report sightings of dead or sick seabirds through designated channels.

CapeNature's Dr Ashley Naidoo emphasized that seabirds serve as critical indicators of marine ecosystem health, and public cooperation is vital to mitigate the outbreak's impact on both wildlife and human health.

Authorities have established dedicated reporting systems for different scenarios, including immediate alerts for mass die-offs and guidelines for handling individual cases.The crisis underscores the need for heightened vigilance and community involvement in protecting South Africa's coastal biodiversity.