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Quarantine scheme reduces rabies risk in EU, study finds
The Derogation Scheme changed quarantine rules for pets of Ukrainian refugees.

Modifications made to help Ukrainian pets reduced risk of rabies reintroduction.

Changes made to the EU Pet Travel Scheme (EU PETS) to support Ukrainian refugees could contribute to reducing the risk of rabies reintroduction, a study has found.

The amended Derogation Scheme included a four-month home isolation for pets once they arrived in the European Union, compared to previous rules which imposed a three-month waiting period in their home country.

Rabies remains widespread in Ukraine, and could pose a threat to animals and humans in the EU. Researchers from Bristol Veterinary School have now investigated how this change in regulations might affect the risk of rabies.

The researchers used a mathematical modelling approach to compare the benefits of EU PETS and the amended Derogation Scheme.

When pet owners complied fully with the Derogation Scheme, the annual risk of rabies introduction was not increased in comparison to EU PETS. The data suggested that it could even be significantly lower than previously.

It also forecast what might happen if pet owners did not comply with the rules of either EU PETS or the Derogation Scheme.

Where pet owners did not comply with rules, there was a ten-fold increase in risk under EU PETS. However there was a significant 74-fold increase in risk under the Derogation Scheme, compared to full compliance to its rules.

Despite this, the annual risk remained as low under the Derogation Scheme as it was under EU PETS, and was likely even lower.

The researchers believe that the reduced risk posed by the Derogation Scheme could be a result of the four-month isolation, which would remove any contact with animals during the wait period.

The study concludes that the four-month quarantine on arrival had significantly reduced the risk of rabies being reintroduced. Even in cases of reduced compliance, the risk was reduced with the Derogation Scheme.

Tirion Cobby, lead author at Bristol Veterinary School, said: “Our findings suggest a four-month period of quarantine, as modelled for the derogation scenario, could reduce the annual risk of rabies entry.

“The suggested scheme could also be a viable solution to accommodating the pets of refugees whilst managing risk to disease-free areas in times of crisis.”

The full study can be found in the journal Zoonoses and Public Health.

Image © Shutterstock

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
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NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.