Infectious diseases in dogs imported to Norway

The programme was initiated in 2017 and aims to include sampling of 100 imported dogs by the end of the year.

The aim of the surveillance programme is to document the status of imported dogs, with respect to selected exotic infections and the level of antibodies against rabies.

The dogs are blood sampled shortly after arrival in Norway and serum is tested by an antigen tests for Dirofilaria immitis and Angyostrongylus vasorum, and for antibodies against Leishmania infantum, and Erlichia canis. In addition, the level of antibodies against rabies is measured to evaluate the effect of the compulsory rabies vaccination. In 2018, the dogs are also tested for antibodies against Brucella canis.

Background

The number of dogs imported to Norway has increased in recent years. Many are from countries with a different disease situation in dogs compared to Norway. Furthermore, many of the dogs have a background as stray dogs and may not have received vaccinations, treatment against ticks and insects or regular anti-parasite treatment. Imported dogs can bring with them infectious agents that are new to Norway that could represent a risk to animal and human health in Norway.

The only prophylactic treatment required for entry of dogs to Norway, in line with the common EU-regulation, is vaccination against rabies and treatment for the zoonotic tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. In a study from 2012 (Klevar et al, 2012), it was shown that a higher proportion than expected, of dogs imported mostly from Romania to Norway, had inadequate antibody levels against rabies despite documented vaccination. Furthermore, several infectious agents, exotic to Norway, have been detected in imported dogs in recent years including Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm), Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis, Erlichia canis, Linguatula serrata (tounge worm) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown house tick).

2018

A total of 41 dogs imported to Norway from 8 different countries were included in the surveillance
programme in 2018. The majority of included dogs (61%) were imported from Spain. Documentation of rabies vaccination is compulsory for entry of dogs into Norway from most countries. 90.2% of the dogs had a rabies antibody level greater than 0.5 IU, which is considered sufficient for protection, and 9.8 % of the dogs had antibody levels below 0.5 IU. The most frequently detected infection was Leishmania infantum (9.8%), followed by antibodies against Erlichia canis/ewingii (2.4%). No dogs tested positive for heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), French heartworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) or Brucella canis.

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Infectious diseases in dogs imported to Norway 2018 (pdf 482kb)

Previous reports

Infectious diseases in dogs imported to Norway 2017 (pdf 434kb)