Health Ministry Warns of Rabies Exposure After Infected Puppy Found in Deir Hanna

The Health Ministry published a rabies-exposure warning on Tuesday, November 3, after a four-month-old domestic puppy in Deir Hanna’s eastern neighborhood was reported infected. The ministry said 17 people who had been exposed were referred for preventive treatment. Its notice dates receipt of the report to November 2; it does not establish that the puppy was found on Tuesday. The animal was described as a medium-sized, black Cane Corso puppy. The ministry said, “The epidemiological investigation is continuing.” Its warning covers anyone who had contact with the puppy or with roaming animals in the incident area in the Lower Galilee between October 15 and October 31, inclusive. People whose pets had contact with those animals are also asked to seek guidance. The ministry directed exposed people to contact the Acre district health office at 17 David Noy Street, telephone 04-9955138, or their nearest health office promptly for an assessment of whether preventive treatment is needed. Outside office hours and on weekends, it directed them to a hospital emergency department and said no appointment was necessary. For a bite or scratch in these circumstances, the ministry instructed people to wash the area with running water and soap for 10 minutes, disinfect it and promptly seek a health-office assessment. Parents were asked to check whether children who visited the area had contact with the puppy or roaming animals. Pet owners whose animals had, or might have had, contact were directed to the municipal veterinarian. The ministry also asked that the warning be circulated to people who visited the area and nearby communities during the stated period.