Investigation begins in five states after imported dog develops rabies

MONDAY, June 21, 2021 (HealthDay News) – A public health survey is being conducted in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey and New York after rabies is found in an imported rescue dog.

At least 12 people were exposed to the dog, including 33 dogs and a cat who arrived from Azerbaijan at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago on June 10 Associated press reported. The animals were not in the main cabin of the aircraft or in the main terminal of the airport. Travelers who have been to the airport are not considered at risk, but health officials are checking to see if other animals on the shipment are infected and are still looking for the pets’ new owners.

Rabies no longer spreads regularly among dogs in the US, but imported animals are considered a risk for new outbreaks. The infected dog was taken home by a family in Chester County, Pennsylvania, but was euthanized after starting acting strange. It later tested positive for rabies.

This marks the fourth incident of rabies in a dog imported into the United States since 2015 AP reported. From July 14, a one-year import ban will apply to dogs from more than 100 countries where rabies is still a problem, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently said. The ban is imposed because the number of puppies denied entry because they are not old enough to be fully vaccinated has increased AP said.

Associated press items