The U.S. Bans Importation of Dogs from More Than 100 Countries

The ban goes into effect on July 14, temporarily suspending the importation of dogs from 113 countries classified as high-risk for dog rabies. 

Dogs from more than 100 countries will be banned from being brought into the United States for a year because of rabies concerns, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced.

The ban goes into effect on July 14, temporarily suspending the importation of dogs from 113 countries classified as high-risk for dog rabies. They include Russia, China, India, Brazil, Peru, Kenya, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belarus, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Jordan, Ecuador, Cuba, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. It also includes dogs arriving from other countries if they have been in a high-risk country during the previous six months.

Normally, dogs imported from high-risk countries need proof of rabies vaccination to gain entry. However, the ban is being imposed because of a significant spike in the number of dogs that are being imported with fraudulent rabies vaccination certificates.

"We're doing this to make sure that we protect the health and safety of dogs that are imported into the United States, as well as protect the public's health," Dr. Emily Pieracci of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told NPR.

An estimated one million dogs are brought into the U.S. each year with the ban expected to affect about 6% of this number, officials said.

Rabies is a very serious infection of the brain and nerves that is most commonly spread through a bite from an infected animal. The virus is almost always deadly if a person is not vaccinated before showing symptoms. Dog rabies has been eradicated from the United States since 2007, but remains widespread across the world, killing more than 59,000 people every year.

Demand for dogs surged during the COVID-19 epidemic, with Americans seeking furry companionship, Pieracci noted.

But some dog rabies vaccination programs had to be suspended or canceled during the pandemic, making the risk of bringing in a rabid dog higher, she added.

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