DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (288/07) issued by
The Government News Network on 7 September 2007
Chief Veterinary
Officer Debby Reynolds has today welcomed the launch of the first
World Rabies Day on 8 September.
World Rabies Day aims to improve global awareness of rabies and
how to prevent and control it, as well as support educational
initiatives about rabies prevention, especially in areas of the
world where the disease is prevalent.
The UK has had a system of quarantine for rabies-susceptible
mammals for many years, and has also operated the Pet Travel
Scheme since 2000, which allows certain animals including dogs and
cats to enter the UK from a number of countries without the need
for quarantine as long as they meet strict veterinary conditions.
Debby Reynolds said:
"I am pleased to welcome the inaugural World Rabies Day. All
action taken to raise awareness of this disease must be supported.
"Much of Europe, including the UK, has been free of rabies
for many years and the situation continues to improve in other
European countries through wildlife vaccination programmes."
The UK's rabies import controls are currently under review
to ensure that they are proportionate and sustainable when weighed
against the risk posed to animals and humans. The initial
findings and evidence from the review suggest that current
controls may no longer be proportionate to the risk of rabies
entering the UK. Further evidence from this review is currently
being studied.
Notes to editors
1. The review of UK rabies import control policies was announced
on 17 November 2005. The main aims of the review are to ensure
that UK rabies import controls are proportionate and sustainable
given that their primary purpose is to protect animal health and
to inform the UK's response to the European Commission's
review of certain requirements to EC Regulation 998/2003.
The European Commission is due to submit a report on their review
to the European Parliament and Council later this year. Further
information on the review of rabies import controls can be found
at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/rabies
2. The independent veterinary risk assessments on rabies and
other exotic diseases carried out as part of the UK review along
with a summary of the responses to the stakeholder consultation
can be found on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/rabies
3. World Rabies Day was initiated by the Alliance for Rabies
Control and the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Further
information can be found at: http://www.worldrabiesday.org
4. Rabies is a fatal condition but it is preventable by
vaccination. It is important for people who are at risk through
their work or through travelling to countries where rabies is
circulating in animals to seek advice on vaccination. Once
clinical rabies develops, it is almost always fatal. Those few
people who have survived the infection have suffered serious
long-term disability.
The real challenge is that rabies is preventable yet 50,000
people a year die from it worldwide. The public health challenge
is using the effective tools we have (ie vaccine) in developing
countries where it is most needed.
If bitten in a country where rabies is present clean the wound
thoroughly with soap and plenty of water and seek medical advice
immediately. If a person has not had treatment in that country
they should still seek medical advice immediately on return, even
if the bite was weeks before.
For more information go to: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/rabies/menu.htm
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