The CDC Issues New Rules for Bringing Dogs into the U.S., Aimed at Keeping Out Rabies

The CDC has unveiled stricter regulations to prevent rabies-infected dogs from entering the U.S. Under the new rules, all dogs must be healthy, at least six months old, microchipped, and vaccinated against rabies or prove they haven't been in a rabies-endemic country recently. Dogs from high-risk countries must undergo additional testing and vaccination upon arrival or face quarantine.

Dr. Emily Pieracci reassures pet owners, emphasizing the minimal inconvenience. Despite rabies eradication in U.S. dogs since 2007, unvaccinated pets remain susceptible to the disease from wildlife. With global rabies deaths at 59,000 yearly, the regulations address emerging challenges, including fraudulent documentation amid the surge in international dog movement. Read more from NPR here.