A draft report into a policy review of the rabies virus risk in imported cats and dogs has today been released for stakeholder comment.
Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity and Compliance, Dr Chris Locke said Australia was free from the rabies virus and to protect this status the draft policy review proposes some changes to existing import conditions for companion animals imported from approved countries to Australia.
"Rabies is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals, spread when an infected animal scratches or bites another animal or human," Dr Locke said.
"If rabies became established in Australia, the toll on human and animal health would be significant and lead to significant response and recovery costs.
"Since the last import policy review in 2013, there has been growing commercialisation of the companion animal import trade as well as evidence of increasing incidents of fraudulent certification for cat and dog imports.
"Our existing import policy takes into consideration the offshore management for rabies and therefore any non-compliance increases the risk of a rabies virus incursion into Australia.
"By implementing strong biosecurity measures chances of an incursion will be reduced, protecting Australia's people and animals, and maintaining our rabies-free health status.
"Being separated from our pets for a prolonged period can be stressful and upsetting, but the proposed measures in the policy review are for the benefit of both imported and domestic companion animals, as well as the broader community."
The department invites comments on this draft policy review by 21 November 2022 via haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au.
All submissions received will be carefully considered in finalising the review.
Fast Facts:
- The World Health Organization estimates that rabies causes 59,000 human deaths each year, up to 99% of which are caused by bites from infected dogs.
