Two people, a 56-year-old man and a young adult (age and gender currently unknown), were bitten by seals at Santos Beach in Mossel Bay yesterday.

The Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (SMART) said there was about an hour between the two attacks. It is unclear whether the people were bitten by the same seal or two different ones.

Both victims were taken to Life Bay View Private Hospital where their wounds were treated, and they are receiving prophylactic rabies treatment.

The SPCA and SMART came to the scene and had eyes on the seal in the waves, but struggled to identify which seal was responsible for the attacks, as two others had also appeared. The three seals were spotted using a drone.

Lifeguards urged swimmers to get out of the water until it was deemed safe again, although some ignored the warnings.

There have been previous reports of seals infected with rabies in the Mossel Bay area, which have since been euthanised.

Four confirmed cases of rabies in seals have been reported in the greater Mossel Bay area since July.

Both organisations are concerned about public safety, as the seal(s) from these attacks could potentially be infected with rabies.

The SPCA, SMART and the Mossel Bay Municipality have urged the public to stay out of the water if a seal is seen nearby.