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Earlier this week, some of you may have caught a glance at terrifying footage of a young Canadian girl being yanked into the water by a sea lion.
Well, while the world laughed at the now-viral video, according to 9News, the animal care staff at Vancouver Aquarium became instantly worried over the welfare of the child – specifically because she may be at risk of rare disease known as seal finger.
It is reported that animals like seals and seal ions carry a bacteria called mycoplasma phocacerebrale, so if humans are bitten by one of these creates, they can potentially develop infections.
These infections can be so serious that they are resistant to some anitbiotics, and, in the past, have even resulted in those bitten to have their fingers or hands amputated.
“If any member of our animal care team receives a bite from a sea or sea lion, they take a letter from our vet with them to the hospital, which explains that the infection is resistant to some antibiotics,” Vancouver Aquarium spokesperson Deana Lancaster told ABC News.
“The family saw the media reports and got in touch with us. She did get a superficial wound, and she’s going to get the right treatment.”
The Lau family are adamant that they didn’t feed the seal before it latched on to their little girl, claiming she was just trying to get a closer look at the sea mammal.
