Rabies Alert: France Warns of Pet Import Risks from Morocco via Spain

"France regularly faces cases of rabies related to the illegal importation of pets from countries where the disease remains endemic," the French Ministry of Agriculture said, adding that "in February 2020, a case of rabies was detected in a puppy brought from Morocco via Spain."

The French authorities launched this awareness campaign against rabies after the publication by the Royal Academy of Veterinary Sciences of Eastern Andalusia (RACVAO) of a report on rabies containing a series of recommendations for the control and management of the disease, reports Animals Health.

To avoid the multiplication of cases of rabies in France, the ministry recommends not touching an unknown animal and advises against adopting it. "As a precaution, citizens must inform themselves about the health conditions for the introduction or importation of pets in France," the ministry said. And to add: "Veterinarians are at the forefront of the surveillance and detection system for possible cases of rabies."

The RACVAO report warns of the risk for Spain of recording cases of rabies, due to the border it shares with Morocco, a country where rabies remains endemic. Since September 2021, 11 cases of rabies have been detected in Melilla.