Israel witnesses sharp rise in rabies cases as urban wildlife encroaches

Israel’s Health Ministry reports a significant increase in rabies cases over four years, with wild animals like jackals and wild boars moving into cities, raising concerns about endemic disease adaptation and urban safety.

Israel’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday that rabies cases have more than tripled over the past four years, with the virus now appearing more frequently beyond rural areas and into cities.

The ministry said it was “very concerned” by the rise, pointing to jackals in Tel Aviv and wild boars in Haifa as signs that infected wildlife is moving into denser urban settings. Rabies is endemic in Israel’s wild animal population and, without post-exposure treatment, is almost invariably fatal once symptoms appear.

Official data cited by the ministry show 69 animal cases have already been confirmed in 2026, and the year could end with about 150, up from 29 in 2022. The figures follow a record 102 cases in 2025, according to The Jerusalem Post, nearly double the 55 recorded in 2024.

The ministry said human activity is worsening the spread, including urban development, habitat displacement, garbage left in streets and food put out for stray cats, which can attract other wildlife. It also noted several 2026 incidents in which infected dogs were transported between towns, creating wider exposure risks.

The Health Ministry advised anyone bitten, scratched or exposed to saliva to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water for about 10 to 15 minutes, then contact their local health bureau urgently for assessment and possible preventive treatment.