Rabies in an Israeli

RABIES is endemic in the Middle East, and since 1979 the fox (Vulpes vulpes) has been recognised in Israel as the principal reservoir and vector of the virus. Rabies is rare in zoos, but a few cases have been described in bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) (Ronsholt and others 1998), rhinoceros (Selvam and oth-ers 2003, Rahman and others 2004) and bears (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] 1999b). The diagno-sis of rabies in a zoo necessitates identification of the virus source, and subsequent investigation and action by the public health authority. A recent rabies case in a bear at a petting zoo in Iowa (CDC 1999a) resulted in the administration of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) to 150 people who had been, or were suspected of having been, in contact with the affected animal. The addax (Addax nasomaculatus; order Atriodactla, clas