The British Veterinary Association have issued an urgent warning about the severe health risks of importing the dogs from abroad into the United Kingdom. It follows a woman being hospitalized after the first dog-to-human case of the disease called as Brucella canis in the United Kingdom.
The British Veterinary Association is also repeating its calls for the government of the United Kingdom to tighten the rules on importing pets. The British Veterinary Association wants all prospective owners of dogs to rehome dogs from within the country, rather than the risk of bringing in the Trojan dogs from abroad.
In the beginning of August 2022, a positive Brucella canis test had been confirmed on a rescue dog imported from Belarus in March 2022. The woman, who was infected is hospitalised after coming into close contact with it, as the fostered animal and four pet dogs, who were exposed to the disease.
The stray dogs in some countries of Europe, and several other parts of the world often living in harsh conditions. With Brucella canis, and they might harbour other potentially life-threatening exotic diseases not found in the United Kingdom like rabies, leishmaniasis, canine babesiosis, and heartworm.
When imported in the United Kingdom, dogs risk passing on the infections to susceptible pets, and in case of some diseases, and to humans as well.
