Media advisory: UK

In light of a recent news story concerning how increased trade in illegally imported animals into the UK is leading to a heightened risk of rabies, the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) issues the following advice:

• While rabies, the most deadly disease in the world, is found on every continent in the world except Antarctica, incidences of animal-human infection in Europe remain low, largely because of successful public health policy measures in recent decades.

• In order to eliminate the risk of importing rabies-infected animals into the UK, and to avoid causing any undue suffering for the animals, The Global Alliance for Rabies Control advises anyone considering buying an animal from outside the UK to ensure they are in compliance with the latest DEFRA rules on the importation of pets.

Dr Deborah Briggs, Executive Director, GARC, is available for comment on this matter or any other story related to GARC’s work towards the elimination of rabies worldwide.