Rabies Case Confirmed in Moroccan Dog Entering Spanish Enclave of Melilla

The Moroccan dog was captured on the street by the Animal Protection Service of the local police, only 15 minutes after entering the territory of Melilla, according to official sources in the autonomous city.

It was then taken to the Animal Reception and Observation Center where it was analyzed by the veterinarians of the Directorate General of Public Health and Consumption who detected symptoms of rabies. This was confirmed on Tuesday after the dog’s death.

To read: Rabies Outbreak Confirmed in Ceuta After Stray Dog Tests Positive

The animal was "very little time" at large in Melilla, said Paqui Maeso, the Melilla Health Minister, specifying that an epidemiological investigation has been carried out to identify contacts with people or animals, in collaboration with the local police.

Rabies cases are recurrent in Melilla, bordering Morocco. The city has been on alert level 1 for months, after six cases of rabies were confirmed in Moroccan dogs. Five people were bitten by these animals and protective measures were taken.