Measures to prevent new cases of rabies in the EU
27.2.2020
Question for written answer E-001201/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew)
In recent months, a number of people have died in the EU as a result of rabies. In almost all cases, those affected caught the disease through lesions caused by domesticated animals – mainly cats – outside the EU. However, there is at least one case, on the Island of Re, in France, in which the animal spreading the disease had been registered by the local pet registry. Although this disease has officially been eradicated in the EU, in some European regions, where the volume of road traffic between Europe and Africa is a particularly high, veterinary schools are considering the need to reintroduce the requirement that pets be vaccinated in order to avoid the risk of contagion. Given that animals and pets are often transited between Europe and third countries where the disease has not been eradicated, this measure would appear to be advisable.
- 1.Does the Commission have any data on the number of instances of rabies contagion within the EU?
- 2.What measures is the Commission taking to prevent contagion as a result of the transiting of pets and animals between the EU and countries where rabies has not been eradicated?
- 3.Is the Commission planning to review, together with the Member States, vaccination strategies and other preventive measures?