Of course! The hazard here is Zoonotic disease. While an epizootic disease refers to a disease impacting animal populations, Zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses, are transmissible between humans and animals—meaning humans and animals can infect each other.
You can end up with any number of infections by handling dead or injured marine mammals.
‘Seal Finger’ is one example, a serious infection you can contract by touching & handling seals (even dead seals!) or being bitten by one (even injured seals bite!) (source)
Seal Finger infections often impact patients’ hands—hence its name—but it’s not limited to hands. Seal Finger actually refers to infections caused by multiple, unique pathogens. It responds well to prompt diagnosis & treatment, but left untreated it can result in amputation or worse.
Marine mammals can also spread Leptospirosis to humans and all of the symptoms that come with it, as well as Brucellosis and Giardia. Many of these can also be transmitted to our pets, which is one reason to keep your cats indoors and your dogs on leashes at the beach (source)
Multiple strains of HPAI—Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (aka Bird Flu)—have been detected in seal populations over the years, including the most recent strain of concern, H5N1. Luckily, Avian Influenza transmission from marine mammals to humans is extremely rare (source) (source) (source) (source)
Some of these infections are less common and harder to contract than others, but that doesn’t mean you should take your chances.
If you spend any time by the coast, look up the contact information for your local marine mammal stranding & rescue network and save it in your phone so you have it if you need it. Don’t approach an ill, injured, or dead animal on your own, and keep your pets clear.
When it comes to living marine mammals, keep a healthy distance to protect them as well—at least 100 yards on land. Generally we say that if marine mammals like seals are focused on you, lifting their heads to watch you, you’re too close already! You should do what you can to avoid disturbing marine mammals at all. Obviously that’s not always possible, but it’s good to try your best! Thanks for asking!
