Advierten sobre perro con rabia en Melilla cerca de la frontera con Marruecos

The Ministry of Public Health warned the population of Melilla on April 3 about a dog with rabies that was captured by Lacos in the southern area of the dam, near the border with Morocco, and later accessed by Spaniards at the Beni-Enzar border station, where it died two days later. The health department has urged anyone who had contact with this animal to report to the authorities for care, given the seriousness of this disease.

As reported on Tuesday, the area led by Mohamed Renee (PP), the health and zoonosis unit of the Directorate General of Public Health has identified a positive case in the autonomous city of Melilla. This diagnosis, after being sent to Madrid, was confirmed by detecting antigens in the laboratory of the National Microbiology Center of the Carlos III Health Institute in the capital of Spain, marking the first case reported in 2025 in the Spanish city in North Africa.

Public health authorities have described the dog as a mixed-breed Belgian Shepherd, a large animal with brown fur. According to the Guardia Fiscal prosecutor, the dog entered the race near the Beni-Benzar border station in Morocco in the early hours of April 3, at 4:10 am.

The ministry stated, «The dog tried to provide another box that belonged to its owner on Lieutenant Flomesta Street, next to the promenade.» After warnings about the aggressive behavior, it abandoned the aggression and headed south of the dam, where it was eventually captured by the animal collection company. The dog was then transferred to the reception and observation center.

Public health has acknowledged that the dog began to show symptoms of the disease since hospitalization, which worsened over time. «Ultimately, the animal died on the night of April 5 to 6,» the aforementioned source stated. The sample for analysis was sent to the National Microbiology Center in Madrid on April 7, with the confirmation of results on Tuesday, April 8.

The ministry urged anyone who was bitten or had contact with the dog’s saliva to report to the Directorate General of Public Health, located at Alfonso XIII Street, numbers 52 – 54.

The Ministry of Public Health emphasized that «rabies is a deadly disease for humans and animals,» and encouraged contacting the Directorate General of Public Health «if there is evidence that the dog may have bitten other animals in the area.»

Authorities stressed the importance of not touching, feeding, or collecting stray or seemingly sick animals on public roads. If encountering such animals, individuals should contact local police so that competent services can safely remove them.

Lastly, it was reminded that annual rabies vaccination is mandatory and free for dogs, cats, and ferrets in the autonomous city of Melilla for three months.

FUENTE