Rabies Outbreak Spreads to Central Israel with Woman Bitten in Ramat Gan

An unprecedented rabies outbreak in Israel has expanded from northern regions to central areas, including the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Since the start of the year, 95 confirmed rabies cases have been recorded nationwide, signaling a rapid and worrying spread beyond the traditional northern hotspots. Recently, a confirmed rabid dog bit a woman in Ramat Gan, who was promptly hospitalized and began a vaccination series. This incident marks the 95th confirmed rabies case in Israel this year and the second in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, highlighting the virus's accelerated spread toward central Israel.

Simultaneously, in the northern settlement of Rumat al-Hayb, a wild fox attacked and bit a young girl and two dogs before fleeing. The girl received medical treatment, and authorities launched a search to capture the fox. Experts believe the fox is highly likely rabid due to its aggressive behavior, but it has not yet been officially counted among confirmed cases pending laboratory testing at the veterinary institute in Beit Dagan.

The current outbreak's scale and geographic spread break previous patterns, which saw rabies cases mostly confined to northern border areas. For comparison, 2025 was previously the worst year with 103 confirmed cases, but already within eight months of this year, the number has nearly matched that total, underscoring the outbreak's severity and expansion.