Protecting the health of Canucks and their pets by minimizing the introduction of dog rabies into the country is the driving force behind a newly implemented measure by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Beginning Sept. 28 (World Rabies Day) and until further notice, commercial canines from countries at high-risk for dog rabies (i.e. rabies caused by canine-variant viruses) will no longer be permitted entry into Canada, CFIA reports.
These animals can include, but are not limited to, dogs for re-sale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or exhibition, research, and other purposes. CFIA says it is also exploring options to further strengthen requirements for the import of personal pet dogs and assistance dogs from these countries.
More than 100 countries are considered by the agency to be high-risk for dog rabies. They include:
- China
- Egypt
- Dominican Republic
- Guatemala
- Cuba
- Iraq
- Afghanistan
CFIA’s decision has received support from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).
“CVMA looks forward to working with the CFIA in the next phase of this initiative to further strengthen the requirements for the import of personal pet dogs and assistance dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies,” the group said in a statement. “CVMA supports the CFIA’s commitment to protecting Canada’s food, animals, and plants to enhance the health and well-being of Canada’s people, environment, and economy.”
Rabies is more than 99 per cent fatal for humans and dogs once symptoms are present, but nearly 100 per cent preventable with proper vaccination of animals, CFIA reports. Globally, the disease kills 59,000 people each year.
While Canada does not currently have any active cases of dog rabies, dogs with the disease were imported into the country in 2021. The event resulted in Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and provincial public health authorities asking CFIA to take action to address the risks from imported dogs.
All import permits issued on or after June 28 of this year will expire on Sept. 27, CFIA reports. As of Sept. 28, import permits will no longer be issued.
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