Two nature reserves in northern Israel were temporarily ordered closed on Tuesday following a nearby outbreak of a new strain of foot-and-mouth disease not covered by routine livestock vaccinations.

Since the beginning of 2026, the disease has been identified at 12 cattle-raising farms across northern Israel and the Golan Heights, the Agriculture Ministry said.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority, which, together with the Agriculture Ministry,  issued the order to close the Nahal Tavor and Yissachar reserves in the lower Galilee, is most concerned about the deaths of two wild gazelles from infection.

Foot-and-mouth disease has been identified at Kfar Kish, directly to the north, and at Moledet, to the southwest.

The public is asked to stay away from the reserves, as the highly contagious viral infection can spread through the movement of people and vehicles, and through contaminated objects.

It is also carried by the air and in secretions from infected animals.

The sickness does not endanger humans.

Tamir Goshen, the Agriculture Ministry’s Director of Veterinary Services,  said........

© The Times of Israel