A stray dog captured near Yarkon Park was found to be infected with rabies, prompting health authorities to issue instructions for people who may have come into contact with the animal. Ten people known to have been exposed have already been referred for preventive rabies vaccinations.
The dog was found near the Ganei Yehoshua parking area, close to the Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan border.
Were You in the Area? Check These Dates
The relevant exposure period is August 7 through August 12, 2026, inclusive.
The incident came to the attention of authorities after a Ramat Gan resident reported being bitten by a stray dog in the area on Sunday, August 9. The animal was subsequently captured and tested, and on August 12 it was confirmed to have rabies.
According to media reports, the dog was euthanized following the diagnosis.
Health authorities are asking anyone who was in the Ganei Yehoshua parking area or its immediate surroundings during the relevant dates to consider whether they had contact with the infected dog or another stray animal.
Simply being in the park does not mean a person was exposed to rabies. No official instruction has been issued to avoid Yarkon Park or Ganei Yehoshua.
Parents who visited the area with children, however, should ask them whether they touched or played with a stray animal during their visit.
10 People Referred for Preventive Vaccination
Ten people known to have been exposed to the infected dog have been referred for preventive rabies vaccination.
One of them is the woman who was bitten. Details about how the other nine people were exposed have not been published.
Authorities have also not released a detailed description of the infected dog, such as its breed, size, color or other identifying characteristics. For that reason, residents should pay particular attention to the location and dates of the potential exposure.
Bitten or Scratched? Don’t Wait
Anyone who was bitten, scratched or exposed to the saliva of an animal suspected of having rabies should wash the affected area thoroughly with running water and soap for approximately 15 minutes, disinfect it, and contact a Health Ministry district health office as soon as possible for an assessment and instructions regarding preventive treatment.
Outside normal operating hours, people requiring urgent assessment should contact the nearest hospital emergency department.
The Tel Aviv District Health Office can be reached at 03-5684631.
Anyone uncertain whether an encounter constitutes a possible rabies exposure should contact health authorities rather than deciding independently that no treatment is necessary.
What Should Dog Owners Do?
Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan residents who walked their dogs in the area between August 7 and August 12 should consider whether their pets may have come into contact with the infected dog or another stray animal.
If there is any suspicion of contact, owners should contact the municipal veterinary services for instructions and check that their pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date.
Ramat Gan Veterinary Services can be reached at 03-6312222. Tel Aviv residents can also contact the municipal 106 hotline.
Veterinary Patrols Increased in the Area
Following the discovery, Ramat Gan Municipality said veterinary patrols would be increased around the location where the infected dog was captured in an effort to identify any additional sick animals.
There is currently no official instruction to avoid Ganei Yehoshua or Yarkon Park, and no closure of areas within the park has been announced.
The case comes amid a significant increase in confirmed rabies cases in Israel in 2026, with cases increasingly being detected beyond areas in northern Israel where outbreaks have traditionally been more common.
For Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan residents, the key point is straightforward: if you were in the Ganei Yehoshua area between August 7 and August 12 but had no contact with a stray animal, no special action has currently been announced. If you were bitten, scratched, had direct contact with a stray animal, or are unsure whether an exposure occurred, contact the Health Ministry for guidance.
