Authors: Castrodale, L.¹; Walker, V.²; Baldwin, J.³; Hofmann, J.⁴; Hanlon, C.⁵

Source: Zoonoses and Public Health, Volume 55, Numbers 8-10, October 2008 , pp. 427-430(4)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Summary

In March 2007, a puppy that was recently imported from India into the United States was found to be positive for rabies by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. This case report highlights several important public health issues. First, recognizing that humans and animals are part of a global community with frequent travel and translocation, the risks of disease introduction, particularly with sub-clinical or incubating animals, are real and present. Animal-importation regulations, policies and practices are intended to minimize these risks and should be routinely evaluated and updated as needed in response to occurrences such as detailed in this communication. Second, veterinarians play key roles in safeguarding the public's health with regard to monitoring the movement of animals and diagnosing zoonoses. Third, investigating rabies cases that involve multiple jurisdictions are labour-intensive and require significant resources to ensure that all potentially exposed persons are identified and receive the appropriate rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

Keywords: Canine rabies; importation; Alaska; Washington; veterinarians; interstate transport

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01107.x

Affiliations: 1:  Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, 3601 C St, Suite 540, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA 2:  Walker Veterinary Service, P.O. Box 34941, Juneau, AK 99803, USA 3:  Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan, Port Townsend, WA 98368, USA 4:  Formerly of the Washington Department of Health, 1610 NE 150th St, Shoreline, WA 98155, USA 5:  Rabies Laboratory, Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 1800 Denison Avenue, Mosier Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; formerly of the Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, CA 30333, USA

Publication date: 2008-10-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• By this author: Castrodale, L. ;  Walker, V. ;  Baldwin, J. ;  Hofmann, J. ;  Hanlon, C.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers