Israel's Health Ministry announced Monday that a jackal infected with rabies has been identified in Mayan Baruch, a community in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel. Health officials are continuing their epidemiological investigation into the incident, and as of now, no confirmed human or animal exposures to the infected jackal have been reported.
The ministry is urgently calling on anyone who may have come into contact with the infected animal, or with any stray animals in the area, between August 20 and September 3, 2026, to come forward. This applies both to residents and to visitors who were hiking or traveling through the region during that period. Pet owners whose animals may have encountered stray wildlife in the area are also being asked to take action.
Those who believe they may have been exposed should immediately contact the Tzfat (Safed) Health Bureau at 04-6994257 or 04-6994200, or reach out to their local health bureau to evaluate whether preventive treatment is necessary. The ministry emphasized that outside regular business hours and over weekends, individuals should go directly to the emergency room at the nearest hospital.
