The reality of rabies, echinococcus and the consequences

A recent article in the Vetinary Record expressed concern at the increase in diseases brought in by internaional re-homing. These include distemper, parvo virus and rumoured isolated cases of rabies. Yes, that's right, apparently there are rumours in the veterinary world of rabies cases already in the UK. To be honest, I am not surprised. Statistics state anywhere between 30,000-50,000 "rescue dogs" are rehomed in the UK each years, the majority of these are from the Balkan countries of Romania,Bulgaria, Bosnia and Serbia.  Based on the number of vans and transport runs bringing dogs from Romania (including the Serbian and Bosnian dogs) we are looking at approximately 20,000 dogs brought to the UK each year. Based on the study below, that means over 10,000 dogs could be entering the country with no or inadequate rabies immunity. As approximately 4,000 of these would appear not to have been vaccinated, we must question whether these same dogs were wormed or are they potentially carrying the echinococcus worm?

A study by the Norwegian veterinary institute, based on 75 dogs brought to Norway from Eastern Europe, predominantly Romania resulted as follows:

The veterinary director at Dogs Trust has previously commented :

"Poor compliance with rabies vaccination probably also means poor compliance with worming treatment too, she suggests, adding that the checks associated with the movement of dogs “are simply not fit for purpose.” 

She continues: “Vaccinating a dog which is already incubating disease will have little or no effect,” adding that a further complication is that different sizes of dogs respond differently to the rabies vaccine as do dogs of different ages. She acknowledges that the numbers of new cases of rabies in Europe have fallen over the past 20 years. But she warns: “Whilst the risk of rabies may be low, it is not absent. Does it have to take a case of the disease in the UK before this process is critically reviewed?”

Until today I thought the answer to that would be YES however, hearing rumours that there have already been isolated cases of rabies in dogs in the UK, I now believe that we, the public, will not be aware of rabies in this country until it has spread to our wildlife. Personally, I find that unacceptable, the problem has been studied and documented and our government are aware but not taking the steps required to prevent rabies and echinococcus from becoming endemic in the UK.

So how would we find out? It would likely be along the lines of the headline in 1969:

After drinking our coffee and taking in the news, panicking if the outbreak is near us or thanking god that it's on the other side of the country, how many of you will then say, "I knew this was going to happen!" If that is you, do something about it now, sign our petition, email your MP, tweet about it, share it on Facebook or instagram, don't wait for it to happen as by then it will be too late!

Let's take a look now at Echinococcus, when you read about it it's described as a deadly disease, a horrible disease, a shocking disease.

Children are particularly at risk as they play in areas where dogs have defecated. The echinococcus eggs can remain viable for a very long time in moist areas, even if you clean up after your dog, the eggs can remain and you can not see them with the naked eye. The eggs can get onto your dogs fur and you can come into contact by simply petting your dog of letting your dog lick your face. In humans, the symptoms can take up to 10 years before being diagnosed so the disease might already be in our country and we are not yet aware of it. There are approximately, just under a thousand new cases diagnosed each year in Romania with the liver being mostly affected.

I won't post graphic content on here but if you want to see some examples of what this disease does, you can see examples here and here.

So please, whilst I realise people want to help the dogs, there are legitimate and safe ways of doing so because the possible consequences of bringing dogs in through these illegal "rescuers" is simply not worth it!