Rabies Alert: Melilla Detects First Case in Dog from Morocco, Urges Vaccination

Melilla has recorded its first case of rabies this year. The dog, with a yellow coat and white spots on the tips of its paws, was captured on December 31, 2023 near the Beni-Enzar border post and taken to the Animal Observation Center. The results of the analysis of its sample, carried out on January 4 at the National Center for Microbiology of the Carlos III Health Institute, confirmed that it was infected with rabies, reports Melilla Hoy.

The Animal Health and Zoonoses Unit of the Directorate General of Public Health and Consumption has issued a call, inviting anyone who has been bitten or in salivary contact with this dog to approach its services or contact the local police service to get vaccinated, as rabies is a fatal disease.

The health authorities took the opportunity to remind the importance and compulsory and free nature of the annual vaccination against rabies for dogs, cats and ferrets over three months old. They also advised the population to avoid touching, feeding or recovering stray or apparently sick animals on public roads.