The government has declared all of Israel a rabies danger area and has warned pet owners that any dogs and cats wandering around will be destroyed. Foxes and other suspected rabies carriers will also be destroyed. The action came after about 50 persons were inoculated in Jerusalem last week after being bitten by dogs. Normally only one or two persons a month get anti-rabies shots in the capital.
An official of the Health Ministry’s district office here said that 26 of the inoculated persons were bitten by a rabid dog which was caught and shot last Sunday. Clinics throughout the country are increasing their supplies of anti-rabies shots while municipalities are stocking up on poisoned meat which will be fed to stray animals. The Health Ministry, meanwhile, has urged people especially, in Jerusalem not to panic over the situation which it says the Jerusalem municipality has exaggerated.
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