Hitching a ride: pet travel and tick risks since this year's rule changes

An aspiration of the EU is free movement of people between member states, and since many people travel with their pets, this includes companion animals. However, it is recognized that in some cases such movement can increase risks of spreading harmful parasites and other diseases to areas from which they are currently absent. Therefore, since 2000, certain EU countries have been permitted to keep in place legal requirements spe-cifically designed to exclude rabies, the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, and exotic ticks and tick-borne diseases. In the UK, these were essentially vaccination against rabies, with entry delayed at least 6 months after proof of seroconversion, plus treatment against ticks and tapeworms between 24 and 48 hours before entry. From 1st January 2012, owners have to wait only 21 days after rabies vaccination, with no need for a blood test, before being allowed entry to the UK from another EU or approved third country, and there is no requirement to treat against ticks before entry, whatever the country of origin. Dogs (but not cats) still must be treated against tapeworms, but the window has expanded to 1 to 5 days before entry. Further changes are envisaged in future, at least in principle, to react to the latest evidence on the disease status of the UK, and the risks of disease spread through pet movement. Further information can be viewed on www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/