Summary:
In the UK veterinarians are asking their government to review the latest rabies risk assessment. Rabies is a virus that effects the central nerve system. If left untreated it ends in death. The UK has changed their policy of animals needing to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, blood tested, and quarantined for 6 months before entering the UK. The new rule in effect means that animals from other EU countries and approved non-EU countries, such as U.S. and Australia, no longer have to be blood tested and only have to remain in quarantine for 21 days. This means animals from Eastern Europe where rabies is rampant are treated the same as animals from non-rampant places. The other issue in the UK concerning rabies is the illegal importation of animals. Many whom are smuggled from rabies rampant places. The combination of the new rule and the increase in smuggling creates a new and very real danger for those working with and around animals.
Relation:
This article relates to our past unit on ecosystems. It relates because rabies is a density dependent parasite. the larger the population of untreated or untested animals goes up the risk of the animals or humans getting rabies. And in our last unit we studied density independent factors. It also relates to the ecosystem unit because rabies is a parasite. It takes things from the host, a mammal, and benefits while harming the host.
Citation:
Emma Forde
October 19,2013
BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24569593
Why did UK officials choose a quarantine period of six months? Wouldn't it be evident long before then if the animal was diseased?
ReplyDeleteI don't know exactly why they choose 6 months. And yes the animal should be showing symptoms of rabies but depending on the bite and concentration of the virus it can take more than 21 days. Which is why people working with animals are concerned.
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