Israel Records 101st Rabies Case of 2026 After Infected Puppy Found in Naleh
A puppy found in Naleh has tested positive for rabies, marking the 101st case in Israel in 2026. The outbreak continues to spread beyond northern border areas into central regions.
A stray puppy found roaming in the settlement of Naleh has tested positive for rabies, marking the 101st case of the disease recorded since the beginning of 2026. The dog's unusual behavior raised suspicions, leading to its capture and subsequent laboratory testing by the veterinary services, which confirmed the infection.
Surpassing the threshold of 100 rabies cases in less than nine months highlights the unprecedented scale of the outbreak. Throughout 2025, Israel recorded a record-high 103 cases of rabies, compared to 55 cases in 2024. By comparison, between 2000 and 2024, the annual average stood at just 36 cases. If the current infection rate continues, 2026 could conclude with approximately 142 cases.
In previous years, the majority of rabies cases were concentrated in northern border regions, including the Galilee, the Golan, and the Jordan Valley. This year, the disease's distribution has expanded to the Samaria and Sharon regions, with cases also detected in the central district and the heart of Gush Dan.
Among other incidents, infected dogs were detected this year in Modiin and Holon. In another case, an infected dog attacked a woman at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, after which it was discovered that 21 people had been exposed to the rabid animal. Last weekend, a rabid fox was located in Karnei Shomron, having attacked 14 people, including 11 soldiers.
