Israeli Health Ministry Urges Urgent Medical Care After Rabies Case in Golan Heights

The Israeli Ministry of Health has issued a health warning following the detection of a rabies-infected cow in a dairy farm in Ma'ale Gamla, located in the Golan Regional Council. The cow died from the disease at the end of last weekend, on July 31, with confirmation of the infection received on the evening of August 1. Since the discovery, four individuals who were exposed to the infected cow have already been referred for preventive treatment against the deadly disease.

The Ministry urgently calls on anyone who had contact with the infected cow or with any stray animals in the area between July 17 and July 31, 2026, to immediately contact the Kinneret Health Office at 04-6710300 or their nearest health office for evaluation and possible preventive treatment. Outside of office hours and during weekends, individuals should go directly to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.

Additional safety instructions were provided, including advising parents to check if their children had contact with suspicious animals in the area and to seek health guidance if needed. Pet owners are urged to verify their animals' vaccination status with a licensed veterinarian. Visitors and hikers in Ma'ale Gamla and nearby communities are asked to share this information to raise awareness. The Ministry also emphasized that anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately wash the wound with running water and soap, disinfect it, and visit the nearest health office to assess the need for preventive treatment.