Health authorities in the Spanish enclave of Melilla have issued an urgent warning after confirming a rabies infection in a dog that entered the city from Morocco’s northern Nador province, raising fears of potential outbreaks in the border region.
According to Melilla’s public health directorate, the dog crossed the Beni Ansar checkpoint on Sept. 7 and was captured near the airport tunnel by animal control services. The animal was taken to a shelter, where it soon showed symptoms consistent with rabies and died Sept. 11. A sample sent to Spain’s National Microbiology Center tested positive the following day.
Authorities urged anyone who may have been bitten by the animal or exposed to its saliva to immediately seek medical care. Veterinary and public health teams have launched a joint investigation to identify people and animals that may have come into contact with the dog.
Officials stressed that all necessary measures are being taken to contain the risk and reminded residents of the importance of mandatory rabies vaccinations for pets, particularly dogs and cats.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans, and is typically transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals.
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