Last week, rabies was confirmed in a dog that had been imported into the European Union from Russia via a Latvian border control point. Despite having all necessary documents, including a rabies antibody titration test that certifies the effectiveness of the rabies vaccination, the case raised alarms regarding the reliability of pet vaccinations from these countries. In response, Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) has reached out to the European Commission urging stricter measures on the importation of dogs, cats, and pet ferrets from Russia and Belarus, citing evidence of counterfeit vaccination certificates.

Consequently, the European Commission has mandated that starting in the autumn of 2024, all accompanying documents for pet imports must include a rabies antibody titration test to confirm both vaccination and its effectiveness. This decision reflects growing concerns among various countries, including Latvia, where control authorities have detected a pattern of animals being transported with falsified vaccination records. The implications of this new requirement are significant, as they aim to enhance safety and prevent the spread of rabies, a dangerous and fatal disease for both animals and humans.

Rabies poses a critical public health risk and has a long incubation period of up to six months, during which time infected animals may show no clinical signs of the disease. This silent nature of rabies infection highlights the urgency of the situation, as unvaccinated animals can travel undetected, posing a threat to the health of both domestic pets and humans. The proactive stance by the Latvian authorities and the European Commission is essential to ensure that pets imported into the EU from high-risk regions are adequately protected against rabies.