OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unveiled new guidelines on Wednesday aimed at curbing the entry of dogs with rabies into the United States.
As per the CDC website, the temporary suspension of dog importation from countries deemed high-risk for dog rabies has been extended until July 31, 2024. Failure to comply with the CDC’s regulations will result in the dog being barred from entering the United States. In such cases, the dog will be returned to the last country of departure at the owner’s expense. The country of departure refers to the location where the last journey originated, rather than the dog’s birthplace or current residence.
Under the updated regulations, all dogs entering the U.S. must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Must exhibit signs of good health.
- Must be a minimum of six months old.
- Must be microchipped for identification purposes.
- Owners must provide proof that the animal has either received a valid rabies vaccine or has not resided in a country where rabies is prevalent within the last six months.
Additionally, dogs originating from countries classified as high-risk for rabies and vaccinated in another country must meet supplementary criteria. These include undergoing a blood test to confirm immunity against rabies before departing from the country of origin, undergoing a physical examination upon arrival in the U.S., and receiving a rabies vaccine approved in the United States. Dogs lacking evidence of immunity through a blood test may be subject to a mandatory 28-day quarantine period.
These stringent measures aim to fortify safeguards against the transmission of rabies and ensure the safety of both human and animal populations within the United States.
