Health authorities in the occupied city of Melilla have announced a fifth case of rabies since the beginning of the year. This follows the infiltration of a rabid dog across the Beni Ansar border crossing on September 7th, originating from the Nador region.
According to local authorities, the dog was a mixed breed, medium-sized, young, with white fur and a brown head. It was sighted roaming on Infanta Elena Street before being apprehended near the airport tunnel and transported to a veterinary center for observation and shelter. Symptoms of rabies quickly manifested, and the dog died on September 11th. Five days later, on September 16th, laboratory analyses conducted by the National Center for Microbiology at the Carlos III Health Institute confirmed the rabies diagnosis. Health authorities issued an urgent warning, urging anyone who may have been bitten or exposed to the dog’s saliva to immediately contact the Directorate General of Public Health for preventative treatment and to notify the local police. This is the fifth such incident in 2025, heightening health concerns in Melilla and underscoring the need for stricter animal control and preventative measures to protect public health and prevent the spread of this deadly disease.
