Health Ministry Warns of Suspected Rabies Exposure After Cat Found in Mashhad

Israel’s Health Ministry issued a public-health alert on October 28 after receiving a report about a cat suspected of having rabies in Mashhad. The medium-sized white cat, which had orange patches, was found on October 25 in the Al-Bayader neighborhood. The ministry said no people were known to have been exposed. “The epidemiological investigation is continuing,” the ministry said. Its alert covers possible contact between October 12 and October 28 with the suspected cat or a stray animal in the area. It asked people who had such contact, or whose pets had contact, to seek guidance urgently from the Nazareth Health Bureau or their nearest health bureau. The notice does not state that rabies has been confirmed in the cat. The ministry asked parents to check whether their children had been in contact with the cat or stray animals and to approach the health bureau when needed. Pet owners whose animals had, or may have had, contact were directed to the municipal veterinarian for instructions. The ministry also asked that the alert reach people who had been in the area and neighboring communities during the stated period. No appointment is required at the Nazareth Health Bureau, according to the notice. Outside working hours and during the weekend, the ministry directed people needing assessment to a hospital emergency department. Its instructions for a bite or scratch call for washing promptly with running water and soap for at least 10–15 minutes, disinfecting the area, and seeking health-bureau assessment of whether preventive rabies treatment is needed.