Over the past two years there has been an outbreak of rabies, mainly among dogs in northern Israel, but also in its central region. This comes after several years in which the levels of rabies incidents have remained relatively constant.

A total of 58 (!!) cases were reported throughout 2009 involving animals contracting rabies, of which 32 were dogs. In 2010, there were 53 cases, of which 23 were dogs. One case has been reported so far in 2011, involving a coyote in the Bet She’an Valley. Most cases were in the north - with some in areas close to the Syrian or Lebanese border, and some of them well inside the Galilee and the Safed. As such,  many people were bitten and had to be administered shots to prevent the onset of the disease. To understand the proportions involved, throughout all of 2008 there were 12 cases of rabies reported, and in 2007, there were 15. In 2006 there were 9 reported rabies cases. 

 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development veterinary services call on the general public to refrain from adopting dogs that they are not familiar with from the streets, and to report to the municipal authorities on stray dogs. Dog owners must make sure their pet is administered a vaccine for rabies each year (as the law requires) and to make sure they are on a leash when walked on the street. Letting dogs loose might make them come in contact with other animals that are carrying rabies, and consequently the disease might enter the home with the dog serving as the proxy, thus endangering the household members.