Rabies

What to do after a jackal bite and when is there a concern about rabies?

After 11 people were bitten and scratched in the Sea of Galilee area, the fear of rabies returns to the forefront. This is what must be done immediately after contact with a suspected animal.

Jackals
A jackal is seen at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv, on September 03, 2022.

Suspected rabid jackals attack campers, leaving 11 injured including child bitten on face

(Illustrative) IDF soldiers standing near the Gaza border, in Israel, February 4, 2026

Dead animals, tetanus and rabies: IDF soldiers stationed in Gaza face extreme conditions - report

Rabbi Matt Cutler speaks with WNYT on March 12, 2026.

New York police arrest hate crime suspect threatening local rabbi online


Israel sees record-breaking number of rabies cases in 2025

In 2025, 102 animals were recorded as infected with rabies, setting a new record, whereas in 2024, only 55 cases were recorded. The previous record-holding year, 2017, only had 74 cases.

 A jackal is seen at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv, on September 03, 2022.

Outbreak of contagious skin disease among naval officer cadets halts training, IDF confirms

Around 40 Israeli Navy cadets have been infected with a contagious skin disease. All cadets have received medical treatment, and training has been paused to prevent further spread.

Israel Navy soldiers; illustrative.

Rabid dog kept in Haifa kindergarten, multiple children attacked

The dog attacked five children and two adults at the gan, and later attacked a vet.

A boy shows a wound he sustained after a stray dog attacked him, at a rabies clinic in Sanaa, Yemen March 2, 2019. (illustrative)

Health officials concerned as hundreds potentially exposed to rabies-infested bats

At least 200 guests who stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge from May 15 to July 27 may have been exposed to a suspected bat colony at the hotel.

 Riding the storm: Study reveals how bats migrate long distance.

Heightened alert: Vets fear rabies entering Israel via animals from Lebanon, Syria

"Due to the war in the north, the borders have opened, allowing free movement of animals—jackals, foxes, and dogs."

 A jackal is seen at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv, on September 03, 2022.

Palestinian child dies of rabies - Health Ministry

Rabies is a fatal neurological disease with a virtually 100% mortality rate for both humans and animals if a vaccination is not administered before the onset of symptoms.

 General view of the Ministry of Health building in Jerusalem October 17, 2021.

Hospital accidentally injects 5 pregnant women with rabies vaccine

The five pregnant women came to Hadassah-University Medical Center in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem for anti-D vaccination but were mistakenly given the "almost identical" rabies shot.

 A pregnant woman gets vaccinated (illustrative).

Pet dog infected with rabies bites two people in northern Israel

The two people bitten by the infected dog were immediately given a preventive vaccine against rabies.

 Illustrative image of a dog.