Rabies outbreak spreads to central Israel: woman bitten in Ramat Gan; in the north, a hunt for a jackal that attacked a girl
An unprecedented rabies outbreak: 95 confirmed cases since the start of the year, with spread to Gush Dan, the Sharon, and Samaria. A woman was bitten in Ramat Gan and treated with vaccines; in the north, a jackal attacked a girl in Rumat al-Heib and fled, with the assessment that it is infected. Experts call for a national change of approach and measures such as vaccinating wildlife and treating stray dogs.
An unprecedented outbreak of rabies in Israel: since the beginning of the year, 95 confirmed cases have been recorded, a figure indicating a worrying spread from the northern regions to Gush Dan, the Sharon, and Samaria. In the meantime, a dog confirmed to have rabies recently bit a woman in Ramat Gan. The woman was taken for medical treatment and began a series of vaccinations. This is the 95th confirmed case, and the second in Gush Dan, indicating an unusual and rapid rate of spread to the center. At the same time, a jackal attacked and bit a girl in the northern community of Rumat al-Heib, and also attacked two dogs before fleeing. The girl was taken for medical treatment, and supervision and veterinary forces began searches to capture the animal. The professional assessment is that the jackal is infected with rabies with a very high probability, but the case is not included in the official count until it is captured and tested at the veterinary institute in Beit Dagan. The scope of the disease breaks familiar patterns: in the past, cases were concentrated in the north, while this year there is a noticeable spillover to the center. For comparison, the entire year of 2025 was defined as a negative record year with 103 cases, whereas now, within about eight months, the count stands at 95. Dr. Michael Etinger, chairman of the Veterinary Medical Association, warns that the virus does not recognize the bureaucratic division between ministries, and calls for a 'One Health' approach. He suggests measures: a national task force and risk map, expanding the vaccination belt for wildlife, systemic treatment of stray dogs, strengthening owner responsibility, and setting time targets for treating bite incidents. According to him, the tools exist and need to be connected to a unified national policy.