Reminder on Vaccination Requirements For Those Working With Imported Animals - 7 May 2008

Following the incident of rabies in an imported puppy held in a UK quarantine centre,¹ the Health Protection Agency has taken the opportunity to remind animal rescue charity, quarantine and animal reception centre workers of the importance of immunisation.
The Agency has written to all quarantine centres, border inspection posts / live animal reception centres, and animal rescue charities in England reminding them of the need for their workers to be immunised against rabies.  It has also stressed the need for those working in these areas to receive public health education and be made aware of the risks associated with this type of work.
The letter also sets out details of the immunisation schedule which should be followed by those at regular risk of exposure to rabies and which has been contained for many years in the Department of Health's immunisation guide, the Green Book.

1. "An imported case of canine rabies in a quarantine centre in London: immediate public health management of the incident, April 2008", Health Protection Report, 2 May 2008, http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpr/archives/2008/news1808.htm#rab

HPA letter to quarantine centres (PDF, 40 KB)

Last reviewed: 20 November 2008