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Source: https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/...n_of_disease_risk_from_imported_dogs/10865487
News 6.7.2019 18:07 | updated 6.7.2019 18:07
Finnish authorities warn of disease risk from imported dogs
The Finnish Kennel Club wants the government to crack down on online dog sales.
The Finnish Food Authority warns of a growing risk of diseases in Finland due to the rising number of dogs imported into the country.
The agency says that such dogs usually have documents indicating that they have been inoculated against rabies, but that they may not actually have enough vaccine antibodies. A fresh study by the authority found that animals brought in from Russia were most likely to lack sufficient antibodies.
"Dogs brought to Finland must be vaccinated against rabies, but some those tested had insufficient antibody levels or lacked them altogether," says Suvi Joutsen, a veterinarian and senior researcher at the Food Safety Authority's Risk Assessment Unit.
The authority analysed samples from 85 dogs that were imported between March and November last year, mostly from Russia and European countries as well as Thailand.
Unvaccinated dogs most often from Russia
Of these, 28 percent lacked rabies antibodies. By far the largest number were from Russia, followed by Romania and Spain. About 35 percent of the dogs imported from Russia did not have rabies antibodies. Another eight percent of animals tested had antibodies, but below the recommended level.
Officials estimate that at least 400 unvaccinated dogs arrive in Finland from rabies areas annually, as well as around 80 with insufficient antibody levels.
Rabies can be transmitted to humans and can be fatal to both humans and dogs. The disease has not been found in Finland ? except in imported animals ? since 1989.
Meanwhile about 30 percent of the dogs were carrying ESBL and/or AmpC-resistant bacteria such as E. coli...
News 6.7.2019 18:07 | updated 6.7.2019 18:07
Finnish authorities warn of disease risk from imported dogs
The Finnish Kennel Club wants the government to crack down on online dog sales.
The Finnish Food Authority warns of a growing risk of diseases in Finland due to the rising number of dogs imported into the country.
The agency says that such dogs usually have documents indicating that they have been inoculated against rabies, but that they may not actually have enough vaccine antibodies. A fresh study by the authority found that animals brought in from Russia were most likely to lack sufficient antibodies.
"Dogs brought to Finland must be vaccinated against rabies, but some those tested had insufficient antibody levels or lacked them altogether," says Suvi Joutsen, a veterinarian and senior researcher at the Food Safety Authority's Risk Assessment Unit.
The authority analysed samples from 85 dogs that were imported between March and November last year, mostly from Russia and European countries as well as Thailand.
Unvaccinated dogs most often from Russia
Of these, 28 percent lacked rabies antibodies. By far the largest number were from Russia, followed by Romania and Spain. About 35 percent of the dogs imported from Russia did not have rabies antibodies. Another eight percent of animals tested had antibodies, but below the recommended level.
Officials estimate that at least 400 unvaccinated dogs arrive in Finland from rabies areas annually, as well as around 80 with insufficient antibody levels.
Rabies can be transmitted to humans and can be fatal to both humans and dogs. The disease has not been found in Finland ? except in imported animals ? since 1989.
Meanwhile about 30 percent of the dogs were carrying ESBL and/or AmpC-resistant bacteria such as E. coli...