The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito is responding to a bacterial infection outbreak.

This infection affects their kidneys and is now the second largest outbreak the Marine Mammal Center has ever dealt with.

So far, 220 sea lions have tested positive for ‘Leptospirosis’ this year.

According to one of the doctors there, outbreaks of this potentially fatal infection, typically occur every four to five years with the last one happening back in 2011, leading to nearly 200 sea lions needing care.

KRON4 is told they’re treated with antibiotics and other supportive care, but even with that, roughly two-thirds of the infected sea lions don’t survive.

If you happen to see one that appears to be sick, the center asks you to give them a call.

With this going on, the center is warning to keep a safe distance from sea lions, including dogs.

They say to stay at least 50-feet away because this bacteria can be passed on to humans and dogs through contaminated water and soil.

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