Rabies (Animal) in Israel

28 Dec 2017

Media in Israel reports that sixteen cases of animal rabies (13 jackals, 2 dogs, 1 calf) have occured in December 2017: four-fold higher compared with December 2016. These cases were reported in northern Israel.

In order to reduce the risk of spillover from wild animals the dispersion of rabies vaccine baits has been increased in recent months. This is expected to a result in an observable decrease in new animal cases in early 2018

Advice for Travellers

Spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite or scratch. Particularly dogs and related species, and also bats. Pre-travel vaccination removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) and reduces the number of post-exposure doses of rabies vaccine required. Although immediate first aid and booster doses of vaccine are still required after any suspect bite. Rabies is widespread in this country and RIG or modern cell-culture rabies vaccines may not always be readily available.