Health Ministry Warns of Rabies Exposure After Infected Jackal Found in Kfar Blum

The Health Ministry issued a rabies-exposure warning on Tuesday after receiving a report of an infected jackal in Kfar Blum in the Upper Galilee. The animal was reported on the eastern side of the kibbutz, near the Kfar Blum dam gate. The ministry dated receipt of the report to October 26. No people were known to have been exposed when the warning was issued. “The epidemiological investigation continues,” the ministry said. Its notice covers anyone who had contact, or whose animal had contact, with the infected jackal or a stray animal in the incident area between October 8 and October 22, inclusive. The ministry instructed people with possible exposure to contact the Safed Health Bureau or their nearest health bureau urgently, so officials can assess whether preventive rabies treatment is needed. The Safed office is at 100 HaPalmach Street, with telephone numbers 04-6994257 and 04-6994200. Outside office hours and on weekends, the notice directs people to a hospital emergency department; no appointment is required. Parents whose children were in the area were asked to check whether they touched the jackal or stray animals and to contact the health bureau if necessary. Owners of pets that had, or may have had, contact with the jackal were instructed to consult the municipal veterinarian. The ministry also asked that the warning reach visitors and neighboring communities. Its guidance after an animal bite or scratch is to wash the area immediately with running water and soap for 10 minutes, disinfect it and promptly seek a health-bureau assessment.