CDC Bans Importation of Dogs From Egypt

The Centers for Disease Control is temporarily suspending importation of dogs from Egypt effective May 10, it said in a notice. The ban comes as a result of several cases of rabies found in dogs imported from Egypt, even on dogs imported with a valid rabies certificate, indicating a failure in the Egyptian rabies vaccination regime, CDC said. Dogs may still be imported from Egypt if the importer obtains advance written approval from the CDC, the agency said. Approval will be granted “on a limited and case-by-case basis and at CDC’s discretion,” it said. “This suspension will remain in place until appropriate veterinary controls have been established in Egypt to prevent the export of rabid dogs,” CDC said.