Rabies worry sparked by European Commission possible rule changes

Worries that rabies could return to the UK have been sparked by the European Commission who want to loosen controls on pet passports.

The Commission are eager to make regulations for all pets travelling between EU countries easier, ending controls on rabies, ticks and tapeworms as they consider the diseases now pose little threat.

Experts are now saying this goes against advice given by the World Organisation for Animal Health, who currently recommend dogs and cats from countries wishing to avoid quarantine, must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies with tests a minimum of three months before arrival to make sure they are disease free.

Changes could mean the risk of rabies being imported into the UK is small, but still a risk considering the country is completely free of the disease they warn.

Using this system, there have so far been no cases of rabies, but every year animals do fail the rabies test and are prevented from travelling.

Animal experts writing in the Veterinary Record say: “A significant proportion of animals fail the rabies serology test and are prevented from travelling. Rabies has also been reported in dogs vaccinated against the disease, and it is far from eradicated in several parts of Europe.

“Leaving aside the possible issues of under reporting, there are still recorded cases of rabies in many eastern European states and Northern Italy.”

They believe opposition to the EC’s plans must continue to keep the UK rabies free which will not happen if the current controls are dropped.