Rabies in a Dog Imported from Egypt — Connecticut, 2017

Yonette Hercules,Rene E Condori,Pamela Yager,Sheryl Shapiro,Yu Li,Gabriel Palumbo,Brian E Joseph,Hilaire Leavitt,Clive Brown,Kendra E Stauffer,J Miguel Ocana,David A Crum,Alexandra Newman,Randall Nelson,Jemeila N Williams,Lillian A Orciari,Sally Slavinsk,Ryan M Wallace,Nelva J Bryant

doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6750a3

Abstract

In 2007, the United States successfully eliminated canine rabies virus variant. Globally, however, dogs remain the principal source of human rabies infections. Since 2007, three cases of canine rabies virus variant were reported in dogs imported into the United States, one each from India (2007), Iraq (2008), and Egypt (2015) (1–3). On December 20, 2017, a dog imported into the United States from Egypt was identified with rabies, representing the second case from Egypt in 3 years. An Egyptian-based animal rescue organization delivered four dogs from Cairo, Egypt, to a flight parent (a person solicited through social media, often not affiliated with the rescue organization, and usually compensated with an airline ticket), who transported the dogs to the United States. The flight parent arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City and, via transporters (persons who shuttle dogs from one state to another), transferred the dogs to foster families; the dogs ultimately were adopted in three states. The Connecticut Department of Public Health Laboratory (CDPHL) confirmed the presence of a canine rabies virus variant in one of the dogs, a male aged 6 months that was adopted by a Connecticut family. An investigation revealed the possibility of falsified rabies vaccination documentation presented on entry at JFK, allowing the unvaccinated dog entry to the United States. This report highlights the continuing risk posed by the importation of dogs inadequately vaccinated against rabies from high-risk countries and the difficulties in verifying any imported dog’s health status and rabies vaccination history.

Highlights

Use of flight parents who have no medical history for the dog they are transporting poses a potential human and animal health threat
Previous reports and publications have discussed the public health challenges associated with the global movement of animals in commerce and the federal, state, and local authorities involved with dog importation [1,2,3,7,8]
The United States has one of the most robust rabies surveillance and response networks in the world, with approximately 120 diagnostic laboratories testing approximately 100,000 animals every year. This network of clinical veterinarians, public health practitioners, and rabies diagnostic laboratories improves the chances of early detection of cases and termination of transmission chains

Summary

Introduction

Use of flight parents who have no medical history for the dog they are transporting poses a potential human and animal health threat. To prevent reintroduction of the canine rabies virus variant, the United States needs to continue vigilance at ports of entry, domestic surveillance infrastructure, and high dog vaccination coverage. Previous reports and publications have discussed the public health challenges associated with the global movement of animals in commerce and the federal, state, and local authorities involved with dog importation [1,2,3,7,8].

Results

Conclusion