Rabies

Rabies is a fatal disease that is caused by a virus.
The rabies virus is present predominantly in the saliva and nervous tissue (brain and nerve cells) of infected animals and is transmitted most often by a bite.  Rabies causes inflammation of the brain and is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
The best ways to prevent the spread of rabies from animals to humans are:
• Vaccinate all dogs, cats and ferrets by four months of age, by a licensed veterinarian;
• Large farm animals may also be vaccinated for rabies, particularly if they are handled extensively by humans;
• Enjoy wildlife at a distance;
• Secure your yard and home and do not leave food laying out to attract wild animals;
• Do not allow your animals to roam free;
• Avoid contact with stray animals; and
• If you are bitten or exposed to rabies, wash the wound thoroughly with lots of warm water and soap and seek medical attention immediately.

Rabies Regulations and Prevention

It is important to be aware of preventive measures and legislation in place regarding rabies at destination as these vary from country to country. There are also actions you can take on a daily basis to lessen the risk of infection.

Although rabies is one of the oldest known viral diseases, it still remains a persistent problem worldwide.

It is mainly transmitted through the bite of an infected animal with most registered cases occurring amongst wild animal populations such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes.

Although animal rabies is more common in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, it can arise in animals anywhere in the world.

In addition to numerous pets and other animals dying from this disease, about 55,000 human fatalities also occur each year despite the fact it is easily preventable if the appropriate steps are taken.

For these reasons, many countries have strict import rules when it comes to your pet’s health history and documents.

Most countries, with regards to rabies and the import of pets, will require an International Health Certificate and an anti-rabies vaccination record.

Some authorities will also require a rabies antibody test to be taken prior to the import of your pet. The list of these countries or states include Norway, Sweden, Great Britain, Ireland, Malta, Israel, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the state of Hawaii, the territory of Guam and the Cayman Islands.

Authorities request these documents in varying time frames prior to entry, so make sure you work within these time frames as authorities are very stringent.

Even when your pet is vaccinated, a mandatory procedure in most countries, the danger from wild animals and the proliferation of the virus on a global scale still remains.

Here are some tips on how to keep your pet safe and prevent further infections:

• Vaccinate all your animals against rabies. This includes pets such as dogs, cats and ferrets and livestock such as sheep, cattle and horses

• Don’t let your pets wander unsupervised, as exposure to rabid wildlife is the biggest threat to infection

• Neutering your pets will make them less likely to want to interact with wildlife

• Contact the relevant authorities to remove stray animals or those acting sick in your area

• Never touch unfamiliar animals whether domestic or wild

• Don’t touch dead animals

• Remove all feed or water bowls from your outdoor spaces as stray animals will even be attracted to them when they are empty

• Cover your garbage to avoid attracting wild animals

If your pet is bitten, scratched or somehow exposed to saliva from a potentially infected animal

• You must take them to your veterinarian immediately

• Pets that have valid vaccinations are usually kept under observation for 45 days, those  

  without one are dealt with on a case-to-case basis

• Contact the relevant authorities to remove the stray animal if applicable

If you are bitten, scratched or somehow exposed to saliva from a potentially infected animal

• You should in a first instance wash the wound thoroughly with soap

• Then you should immediately see a doctor for post-exposure treatment

• Make sure also to report the bite to your local health department or equivalent

   in your country

• Contact the relevant authorities to remove the stray animal if applicable

For further information about rabies regulations and general pet relocation services, please do not hesitate to contact us at EMAIL . One of our dedicated Pet Transportation agents will follow up with you shortly with a quote tailor-made to your needs.

Countries with Strict Rabies control & Quarantine

Hawaii
Animal Quarantine Station, Div Animal Industry, Dept Agriculture
99-951 Halawa Valley St
Aiea, HI 96701
Phone: 808.483.7151
Fax: 808.483.7161
Web site: www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa
E-mail: hdoa.info@hawaii.gov

Australia
Web site:  www.affa.gov.au
E-mail: animalimp@aqis.gov.au

France
Phone: 202.944.6375
Fax: 202.944.6517
Web site: www.ambafrance-us.org/customs
• Click on info private individuals, then click on pets
E-mail: ascus@ambafrance-us.org

Ireland
Do general search: quarantine dublin

Japan
Website: www.maff-aqs.go.jp

New Zealand
Website: www.maf.govt.nz

South Africa
Website: www.nda.agric.za/vetweb

United Kingdom, Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)
Website: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

WORLD RABIES DAY 2008

World Rabies Day 2008 reminded us that routine vaccinations are important, because rabies is a serious and deadly disease for pets and people alike.

Rabies is an acute, progressive, fatal encephalomyelitis caused by neurotropic viruses in the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus. The disease is almost always transmitted by an animal bite that inoculates the virus into wounds. Very rarely, rabies has been transmitted by exposures other than bites that introduce the virus into open wounds or mucous membranes. All mammals are believed to be susceptible, but reservoirs are carnivores and bats. Although dogs are the main reservoir in developing countries, the epidemiology of the disease differs sufficiently from one region or country to another to warrant the medical evaluation of all mammal bites.

Rabies in dogs, or ‘canine rabies,’ is still common in certain areas of the world, including parts of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. Because the risk of rabies varies in different areas of the world, it is important for pet owners to understand the rules and restrictions of each destination country before they travel with their pets.

You should be aware that each country has one or more government agencies which impose animal importation requirements that need to be met by the pet owner or importer. Information about pet import restrictions and requirements in foreign countries can be received from PetsVentura® PETS RELOCATIONS™

Email: info(at)petsventura.com

TEL: +54 11 4836-2290