5 live Investigates: Rabies in the UK: A case of not if but when?

Has the UK let down it’s guard when it comes to rabies? 5 live Investigates examines the issue this weekend.

A number of scientists say the decision to bring quarantine controls in line with the rest of Europe is increasing the risk we will see an outbreak of the disease.

One expert told us – it was not a case of if, but when.

The UK has been rabies free since 1922. From last year, the regulations for bringing dogs and cats into the country changed. Animals arriving from the EU and a number of approved countries still need to be vaccinated against the disease, but the new rules did away with a blood test to see if the vaccine is effective. The animal now only has to wait three weeks after vaccination before it can travel – it used to be six months.

Scientists we’ve spoken to say this period is now shorter than the time it can take for the disease to show.

They say the blood tests were a vital check. Some animals don’t respond to a single dose of the vaccine and without the mandatory blood tests, that might go unnoticed.

The relaxation of the quarantine rules – argue the scientists – has led to a reduction in overall animal controls at UK ports, and that’s leading to more dogs coming in illegally.

Animal welfare experts say those trafficked dogs are increasingly coming from Eastern Europe where rabies is an endemic problem, and it’s unlikely those dogs will have had any health checks.

The Government says even with the system of relaxed controls, the risk of rabies coming into the UK is still extremely small.

Also on 5 live Investigates: Last week we heard from small businesses who are suffering because of late payment by big companies; even though some had signed up to the Government’s Prompt Payment Code.

A day later, the Prime Minister said the system need strengthening to protect smaller businesses. We’ll hear what the Government is proposing.

5 live Investigates Sunday 20th October 11am. Listen live or listen again here.



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