“Rabies is fatal in both humans and animals, and the importation of even one rabid dog could result in transmission to humans, pets, and wildlife,” the agency said on its website on Monday. Health officials said that the number of dogs from high-risk countries that were denied entry into the United States in 2020 rose by 52 percent compared with the previous two years. Before the ban, dogs from the high-risk countries had to be at least four months old to be brought into the United States, giving them enough time for their rabies vaccinations to take effect. The dogs, health officials said, had to wait longer to be returned to the countries where they came from because of reduced flight schedules, putting them at greater risk for illness or death. Dr. Douglas Kratt, the president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said in an interview on Monday that the temporary ban was the right step.

Source: International New York Times June 15, 2021 00:22 UTC