By Ethan Covey
Dogs being imported to the United States from countries with a high risk for canine rabies sometimes receive ineffective rabies vaccinations in their home countries.
According to the CDC, from August 2021 through April 2024, the agency identified 132 permits issued for dogs vaccinated with an ineffective rabies vaccine. The vaccine in question, Canvac R (Dyntec) is manufactured in the Czech Republic. The dogs that were vaccinated with Canvac R originated from 17 high-risk countries and had final destinations in 28 U.S. states (MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:706-707).
“CDC identifies imported dogs with potentially ineffective rabies vaccinations and takes action to keep dogs, owners and communities safe,” said Mark S. Freedman, DVM, a veterinary medical officer with the Division of Global Migration Health, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, CDC.
Dog rabies is the leading cause of human rabies deaths worldwide, and was eliminated from the United States in 2007 through the country’s vaccination program. To prevent its reintroduction, proof of vaccination against rabies is required for dogs imported into the United States from countries at high risk for dog rabies.
“However, some rabies vaccines licensed abroad might not meet international vaccine production standards,” Dr. Freedman said, “and therefore might not provide adequate protection.”
Of a total of 63,618 approved importation permits, 132 permits issued August 2021 through April 2024 were for dogs vaccinated with Canvac R.
The CDC worked with state and local health departments to ensure that each dog received a Department of Agriculture–licensed rabies vaccine after arrival. Either the CDC or the dog’s destination state confirmed revaccination for 94% of the identified dogs, and no signs of rabies had occurred in any of the animals as of May 2024.
“This investigation is an example of best practices for preventing importation and possible reintroduction of dog rabies into the U.S.,” Dr. Freedman said. “Effective Aug. 1, 2024, the CDC’s updated dog importation regulation requires revaccination upon arrival of all foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries. Owners of dogs that received the Canvac R vaccine overseas and have not been revaccinated in the U.S. should contact their local veterinarians to have their dogs revaccinated against rabies.“
