Health Ministry Warns of Rabies Exposure Near Gesher

The Health Ministry issued a rabies-exposure alert on October 29 after receiving a report of an infected jackal near Kibbutz Gesher in the Emek HaMaayanot Regional Council. The animal was found along the border-system route north of the Shulamit outpost. One person exposed to the jackal was referred for preventive treatment. The ministry said, "The epidemiological investigation is continuing." Its notice asks anyone who had contact, or whose animals had contact, with the infected jackal or stray animals in the incident area between October 14 and October 28 inclusive to seek urgent assessment of whether preventive treatment is needed. The alert also asks that the information be passed to people who visited the area and neighboring communities during that period. The ministry directed people concerned about exposure to the Afula Health Bureau at 4 Jerusalem Street, telephone 04-6099000, or the health bureau nearest their home. It said no appointment is required. Outside bureau working hours and on weekends, its instructions are to go to a hospital emergency department. Parents should ask children who were in the area about animal contact, while owners whose pets had or may have had contact should ask the municipal veterinarian for instructions. For an animal bite or scratch, the ministry's notice instructs people to wash the area immediately with running water and soap for about 10 minutes, disinfect it, and promptly seek a health-bureau assessment.