Notice2022-11752
Notice of Extension and Modification of Temporary Suspension of Dogs Entering the United States From High-Risk Rabies Countries
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 1, 2022
Effective
January 31, 2023
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces an extension and modification of the current temporary suspension of the importation into the United States of dogs from high-risk rabies- enzootic countries (high-risk countries). This suspension includes dogs that have been in any high-risk countries during the previous six months.
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33158-33173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11752]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Notice of Extension and Modification of Temporary Suspension of
Dogs Entering the United States From High-Risk Rabies Countries
AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces an
extension and modification of the current temporary suspension of the
importation into the United States of dogs from high-risk rabies-
enzootic countries (high-risk countries). This suspension includes dogs
that have been in any high-risk countries during the previous six
months.
DATES: The extension and modification of the temporary suspension of
the importation of dogs into the United States from high-risk rabies
countries will be implemented on June 10, 2022 and will remain in
effect through January 31, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashley C. Altenburger, J.D., Division
of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS H16-4, Atlanta, GA 30329.
Telephone: 1-800-232-4636. For information regarding CDC regulations
for the importation of dogs: Dr. Emily Pieracci, D.V.M., Division of
Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS V-18-2, Atlanta, GA 30329.
Telephone: 1-800-232-4636.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: While CDC is modifying the terms of the
suspension to allow more dog importations, a suspension remains
necessary to protect the public's health against the reintroduction of
the canine rabies virus variant (CRVV) into the United States. This
extension and modification is based on various factors, including: The
threat that unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated dogs from high-risk
countries continue to pose; insufficient veterinary controls in place
in high-risk countries to prevent the export of inadequately vaccinated
dogs; and ongoing limited availability of public health resources at
the Federal, State, and local levels, particularly in the global
context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
[[Page 33159]]
CDC anticipates that these factors are likely to continue into 2023.
I. Background and Authority
Rabies, one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases, accounts for an
estimated 59,000 human deaths globally each year.\1\ This equates to
one human death every nine minutes.\2\ CRVV is responsible for 98
percent of these deaths.\2\ The rabies virus can infect any mammal, and
once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost always fatal.\3\ In
September 2007, at the Inaugural World Rabies Day Symposium, CDC
declared the United States to be free of CRVV.\4\ However, this rabies
virus variant is still a serious public health threat in the more than
100 countries where CRVV remains enzootic. Preventing the entry of
animals infected with CRVV into the United States is a public health
priority.
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\1\ World Health Organization (2018). WHO Expert Consultation on
Rabies (WHO Technical Report Series 1012). Retrieved from <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-TRS-1012">https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-TRS-1012</a>.
\2\ World Health Organization (2018). WHO Expert Consultation on
Rabies (WHO Technical Report Series 1012). Retrieved from <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-TRS-1012">https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-TRS-1012</a>.
\3\ Fooks, A.R., Banyard, A.C., Horton, D.L., Johnson, N.,
McElhinney, L.M., and Jackson, A.C. (2014) Current status of rabies
and prospects for elimination. Lancet, 384(9951), 1389-1399. doi:
10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62707-5.
\4\ Velasco-Villa, A., Mauldin, M., Shi, M., Escobar, L.,
Gallardo-Romero, N., Damon, I., Emerson, G. (2017) The history of
rabies in the Western Hemisphere. Antiviral Res, 146, 221-232.
doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.03.013.
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CDC subject matter experts review publicly available data and
conduct an annual assessment to determine high-risk countries. This
assessment considers the following factors: Presence or prevalence of
domestically acquired cases of CRVV in humans and animals; efforts
towards control of CRVV in dogs (such as dog vaccination coverage, dog
population management, and existence and enforcement of legal codes to
limit rabies transmission in dogs); and the quality of rabies
surveillance systems and laboratory capacity. If data are not
available, the most conservative determination is applied, and the
country is not considered to have a robust control program. If a
country has provided additional substantial data to support a CRVV-free
status, CDC can review that information and re-assess the country's
status.
Under section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) (42
U.S.C. 264), the Secretary of Health and Human Services may make and
enforce such regulations as in the Secretary's judgment are necessary
to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable
diseases from foreign countries into the United States and from one
state or possession into any other state or possession.\5\ Such
regulations may provide for inspection, fumigation, disinfection,
sanitation, pest extermination, destruction of animals or articles
found to be sources of dangerous infection to human beings, and other
measures. Under section 362 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 265), the
Secretary, and by delegation the Director of CDC (CDC Director),\6\ may
prohibit entries and imports from foreign countries into the United
States ``in whole or in part'' if there is a serious risk of
introducing communicable disease and when required in the interest of
public health.
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\5\ Although the statute assigns authority to the Surgeon
General, all statutory powers and functions of the Surgeon General
were transferred to the Secretary of HHS in 1966, 31 FR 8855, 80
Stat. 1610 (June 25, 1966), see also Pub. L. 96-88, 509(b), October
17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695 (codified at 20 U.S.C. 3508(b)). The
Secretary has retained these authorities despite the reestablishment
of the Office of the Surgeon General in 1987.
\6\ See 42 CFR 71.51(e), 71.63.
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Under 42 CFR 71.51, all dogs admitted into the United States must
be accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate,\7\ unless the
dogs' owner or importer submits satisfactory evidence that dogs under
six months of age have not been in a high-risk country or dogs older
than six months have not been in a high-risk country for the six months
before arrival.\8\ CDC maintains a publicly available list of high-risk
countries \9\ and provides guidance for dog entry requirements based on
the dog's country of import.
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\7\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). What is a
valid rabies vaccination certificate? Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/vaccine-certificate.html">https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/vaccine-certificate.html</a>.
\8\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
\9\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). What is a
valid rabies vaccination certificate? Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/rabies-vaccine.html">https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/rabies-vaccine.html</a>.
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Under 42 CFR 71.51(e), dogs may be subject to ``additional
requirements as may be deemed necessary'' or ``to exclusion if coming
from areas which the [CDC] Director has determined to have high rates
of rabies.'' Based on the previously described criteria, CDC determined
that high-risk countries constitute areas that have high rates of
rabies and dogs imported from these countries are thus subject to
additional requirements and/or exclusion.
Under 42 CFR 71.63, CDC may also temporarily suspend the entry of
animals, articles, or things from designated foreign countries and
places into the United States when it determines there exists in a
foreign country a communicable disease that threatens the public health
of the United States and the entry of imports from that country
increases the risk that the communicable disease may be introduced.
When such a suspension is issued, CDC designates the period of time or
conditions under which imports into the United States are suspended.
CDC likewise determined that CRVV exists in high-risk countries and
that, if reintroduced into the United States, CRVV would threaten the
public health of the United States.
Based on these legal authorities and determinations, on June 16,
2021,\10\ CDC announced a temporary suspension of the importation of
dogs from high-risk countries into the United States (86 FR 32041) (the
temporary suspension). The temporary suspension went into effect on
July 14, 2021. CDC issued the temporary suspension to protect the
public health against the reintroduction of CRVV into the United States
at a time when resources were being diverted to the agency-wide
response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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\10\ Temporary Suspension of Dogs Entering the United States
from High-Risk Rabies Countries. Federal Register, 86 FR 32041, June
16, 2021.
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At the time the temporary suspension was issued, CDC noted an
increase in importers circumventing dog import regulations. Between
January 1 and July 14, 2021, CDC documented more than 560 dogs arriving
from high-risk countries with incomplete, inadequate, or fraudulent
rabies vaccination certificates, resulting in the denial of entry for
the dogs and subsequent return to their country of departure. This
represented a 33 percent increase compared to all of 2020. Despite a
decrease in international travel volumes due to the global COVID-19
pandemic, there was a 52 percent increase in dogs ineligible for entry
in 2020 as compared to 2018 and 2019. Additionally, four rabid dogs
were imported into the United States between 2015 and 2021.
The limited availability of public health resources due to the
unprecedented global response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in
reduced capacity at the Federal, State, and local levels to address the
increased risk of the reintroduction of CRVV. For these reasons, CDC
implemented a temporary suspension prohibiting the
[[Page 33160]]
importation of dogs from high-risk countries for rabies in July 2021.
CDC implemented a CDC Dog Import Permit \11\ [(OMB Control Number
0920-0134 Foreign Quarantine Regulations (exp. 06/30/2022), or as
revised] during the temporary suspension to verify the documentation of
imported dogs before they are flown to the United States. Eligibility
to import dogs during the temporary suspension was limited to people
relocating to the United States with their personal pets, service dog
owners, United States Government or foreign Government employees
traveling on official orders with their personal pets, and importers of
dogs for science, education, exhibition, or bona fide law enforcement
purposes.
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\11\ <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/dogpermit">https://www.cdc.gov/dogpermit</a>.
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Since the temporary suspension went into effect in July 2021, CDC
has used its enforcement discretion to reduce the burden on eligible
importers. Per the Federal Register notice announcing the temporary
suspension, importers are required to enter the United States at a port
of entry with a live animal facility with a Facilities Information and
Resource Management System (FIRMS) code issued by U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP). At the time the Federal Register notice was
published, there was one animal facility. However, from the beginning
of the temporary suspension, CDC used its enforcement discretion to
expand the list of the approved ports of entry to include 18 airports
with a CDC quarantine station. CDC planned to narrow the list of
approved ports of entry to only those with an animal facility on
October 31, 2021, which would have been three ports of entry at that
time. However, after considering the reduction in the number of dogs
abandoned by their importers and the number of dogs arriving sick or
dead at the 18 airports between the time the temporary suspension went
into effect (July 14, 2021) and December 1, 2021, CDC determined that
the 18 airports could continue serving as approved ports of entry
through the remainder of the suspension.
On December 1, 2021, following an evaluation of the latest
scientific information on rabies serologic titer test results, CDC
reduced the waiting period requirement, which is the number of days
between when a dog's sample is taken for a serologic titer test and
when the dog can be imported into the United States, from 90 days to 45
days.
Lastly, effective December 1, 2021, CDC has allowed importers whose
dog is at least six months old, has a microchip, and a valid U.S.-
issued rabies vaccination certificate to enter the United States
without a CDC Dog Import Permit at one of the 18 airports with a CDC
quarantine station provided the dog appears healthy upon arrival. CDC
made this change because of the reliability of the United States'
rabies vaccine supply and to ease the burden on these importers.
At this time, CDC is extending and modifying the temporary
suspension due to the continued risk for the reintroduction of CRVV
into the United States and the ongoing need to commit public health
resources towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on improvements in CDC's
ability to track and monitor dog imports from high-risk countries, and
the significant decrease in the dog importation issues that existed
prior to the suspension, CDC is modifying the terms of the temporary
suspension to allow for more dog imports from a wider range of
importers.
II. Public Health Rationale
A. Dog Importation Into the United States
The United States was declared CRVV-free in 2007. Importing dogs
from high-risk countries involves a significant public health risk. The
importation of just one dog infected with CRVV risks re-introduction of
the virus into the United States, resulting in a potential public
health risk with consequent monetary cost and potential loss of human
and animal life.<SUP>12 13 14</SUP> CRVV has been highly successful at
adapting to new host species, particularly wildlife.\15\ One CRVV-
infected dog could result in transmission to humans, domestic pets, or
wildlife. In 2019, the importation of a single dog with rabies cost
more than $400,000 for the public health investigations and rabies
post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of exposed persons.<SUP>16 17</SUP> To
mitigate the risk of importing dogs with CRVV, CDC requires compliance
with its public health entry requirements.
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\12\ World Bank (2012). People, Pathogens and Our Planet: The
Economics of One Health. Retrieved from <a href="https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/11892">https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/11892</a>.
\13\ Raybern, C., Zaldivar, A., Tubach, S., Ahmed, F., Moore,
S., Kintner, C., Garrison, I. (2020) Rabies in a dog imported from
Egypt-Kansas, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(38),
1374-1377. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf">https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf</a>.
\14\ Jeon, S., Cleaton, J., Meltzer, M., Kahn, E., Pieracci, E.,
Blanton, J., Wallace, R. (2019). Determining the post-elimination
level of vaccination needed to prevent re-establishment of dog
rabies. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 13(12). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007869">https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007869</a>.
\15\ Velasco-Villa, A., Mauldin, M., Shi, M., Escobar, L.,
Gallardo-Romero, N., Damon, I., Emerson, G. (2017). The history of
rabies in the Western Hemisphere. Antiviral Research, 146, 221-
232.doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.03.013.
\16\ Raybern, C., Zaldivar, A., Tubach, S., Ahmed, F., Moore,
S., Kintner, C., Garrison, I. (2020) Rabies in a dog imported from
Egypt-Kansas, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(38),
1374-1377. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf">https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf</a>.
\17\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Rabies
Postexposure Prophylaxis. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html</a>.
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Although the U.S. Government does not track the total number of
dogs imported each year, it is estimated that approximately 1 million
dogs are imported into the United States annually, of which 100,000
dogs are from high-risk countries.\18\ This estimate was based on
information provided by airlines, the Department of Homeland Security's
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff, and a study conducted at a
U.S.-Mexico land border crossing.\19\
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\18\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
\19\ McQuiston, J.H., Wilson, T., Harris, S., Bacon, R.M.,
Shapiro, S., Trevino, J., Marano, N. (2008.) Importation of dogs
into the United States: Risks from rabies and other zoonotic
diseases. Zoonoses Public Health, 55(8-10),421-6. doi:10.1111/
j.1863-2378.2008.01117.
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CBP does record, by country, the number of dogs imported with
formal entry under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code 0106199120 and
HTS description: Other live animals, other, dogs. The total number of
dogs imported into the United States from all countries under this HTS
category varied from 25,232 in 2018 to 58,540 in 2020. The number of
dogs from high-risk countries under this HTS category averaged 16,390
per year and varied from 9,966 to 24,031 over this three-year period.
The number of dogs reported under this HTS category does not include
dogs imported as checked baggage, hand-carried in airplane cabins, or
crossing at land borders without formal entry. Thus, the number
underestimates the true number of dogs imported into the United States.
Since 2015, there have been four known rabid dogs imported into the
United States. All four dogs were imported by rescue organizations for
the purposes of adoption. These four cases, discussed below, highlight
the immense public health resources required to investigate, respond
to, and mitigate the public health threat posed by the importation.
[[Page 33161]]
In 2015, a rabid dog was part of a group of eight dogs and 27 cats
imported from Egypt by a rescue group. The dog had an unhealed leg
fracture and began showing signs of rabies four days after arrival.
Following the rabies diagnosis, the rescue workers in Egypt admitted
that the dog's rabies vaccination certificate had been intentionally
falsified to evade CDC entry requirements.\20\ Eighteen people were
recommended to receive rabies PEP, seven dogs underwent a six-month
quarantine, and eight additional dogs housed in the same home as the
rabid dog had to receive rabies booster vaccinations and undergo a 45-
day monitoring period.
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\20\ Sinclair J., Wallace, R., Gruszynski K., Bibbs Freeman, M.,
Campbell, C., Semple, S., Murphy, J. (2015). Rabies in a dog
imported from Egypt with a falsified rabies vaccination
certificate--Virginia. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 64,
1359-62. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6449a2.
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In 2017, a ``flight parent'' (a person typically solicited through
social media, often not affiliated with the rescue organization, and
usually compensated with an airline ticket) imported four dogs on
behalf of a rescue organization. One of the dogs appeared agitated at
the airport and bit the flight parent prior to the flight. A U.S.
veterinarian examined the dog one day after its arrival and then
euthanized and tested the dog for rabies. A post-mortem rabies test
showed that the dog was positive for the virus. Public health officials
recommended that at least four people receive rabies PEP, and the
remaining three dogs underwent quarantine periods ranging from 30 days
to six months. An investigation revealed the possibility of falsified
rabies vaccination documentation presented on entry to the United
States.\21\
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\21\ Hercules, Y., Bryant, N., Wallace, R., Nelson, R., Palumbo,
G., Williams, J., Brown, C. (2018). Rabies in a dog imported from
Egypt--Connecticut, 2017. Morbdity and Mortality Weekly Report 67,
1388-91. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6750a3.
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In 2019, a rescue group imported 26 dogs, all of which had rabies
vaccination certificates and serologic documentation, indicating the
development of rabies antibodies (in response to immunization), based
on results from an Egyptian Government-affiliated rabies laboratory.
However, one dog developed signs of rabies three weeks after arrival
and had to be euthanized. The dog tested positive for rabies. Forty-
four people received PEP, and the 25 dogs imported on the same flight
underwent re-vaccination and quarantines of four to six months. An
additional 12 dogs had contact with the rabid dog and had to be re-
vaccinated and undergo quarantine periods ranging from 45 days to six
months based on their previous vaccination status.\22\
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\22\ Raybern, C., Zaldivar, A., Tubach, S., Ahmed, F., Moore,
S., Kintner, C., Garrison, I. (2020) Rabies in a dog imported from
Egypt-Kansas, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(38),
1374-1377. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf">https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf</a>.
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On June 10, 2021, shortly before CDC published the temporary
suspension, 33 dogs were imported into the United States from
Azerbaijan by a rescue organization. All dogs had rabies vaccination
certificates that appeared valid upon arrival in the United States. One
dog developed signs of rabies three days after arrival and was
euthanized. CDC confirmed the dog was infected with a variant of CRVV
known to circulate in the Caucus Mountain region of Azerbaijan. The
remaining rescue animals exposed to the rabid dog during travel were
dispersed across nine states, leading to what is believed to be the
largest, multi-state, imported rabid dog investigation in U.S.
history.\23\
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\23\ Whitehill F., Bonaparte S., Hartloge C., et al. Rabies in a
Dog Imported from Azerbaijan-Pennsylvania, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal
Wkly Rep 2022; 71: 686-689.
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Eighteen people received PEP to prevent rabies as a result of
exposure to this one rabid dog. Post serologic monitoring and the
public health investigation revealed that improper vaccination
practices by the veterinarian in Azerbaijan likely contributed to the
inadequate vaccination response documented in 48 percent of the
imported animals, including the rabid dog.\24\ The 33 exposed animals
were placed in quarantines ranging from 45 days to six months based on
individual serologic titer test results and local jurisdictional
requirements.\25\
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\24\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). CDC
responds to a case of rabies in an imported dog. Retrieved from
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/worldrabiesday/disease-detectives/rabies-imported-dog.html">https://www.cdc.gov/worldrabiesday/disease-detectives/rabies-imported-dog.html</a>.
\25\ Whitehill F., Bonaparte S., Hartloge C., et al. Rabies in a
Dog Imported from Azerbaijan-Pennsylvania, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal
Wkly Rep 2022; 71: 686-689.
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CDC estimates costs for public health investigations and subsequent
cost of care for people exposed to rabid dogs range from $220,897 to
$521,828 per importation event, as summarized in the Appendix found at
the end of this notice.<SUP>26 27</SUP> This cost estimate does not
account for the worst-case outcomes, which include: (1) Transmission of
rabies to a person who dies from the disease and (2) ongoing
transmission to other domestic and wildlife species in the United
States. A previous campaign to eliminate domestic dog-coyote rabies
virus variant jointly with gray fox (Texas fox) rabies virus variant in
Texas over the period from 1995 through 2003 cost $34
million,<SUP>28 29</SUP> or $48 million in 2020 U.S. dollars. Re-
establishment of CRVV into the United States could result in costly
efforts over several years to again eliminate the virus.
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\26\ Raybern, C., Zaldivar, A., Tubach, S., Ahmed, F., Moore,
S., Kintner, C., Garrison, I. (2020) Rabies in a dog imported from
Egypt-Kansas, 2019. MMWR Morb Mort Wkly Rep, 69(38), 1374-1377.
Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf">https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf</a>
\27\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
\28\ Thomas, S., Wilson, P., Moore, G., Oertli, E., Hicks, B.,
Rohde, R., Johnston, D. (2005). Evaluation of oral rabies
vaccination programs for control of rabies epizootics in coyotes and
gray foxes: 1995-2003. Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine
Association, 227(5),785-92. doi: 10.2460/javma.2005.227.785.
\29\ Sterner, R., Meltzer, M., Shwiff, S., Slate, D. (2009).
Tactics and Economics of Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination, Canada
and the United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 15(8), 1176-
1184. doi: 10.3201/eid1508.081061.
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B. COVID-19 Response Activities
Since January 2020, public health resources globally have been
dedicated to responding to COVID-19 response activities. This context
caused a lapse in canine rabies vaccination efforts in high-risk
countries.<SUP>30 31</SUP> In the United States, the public health
response to combatting the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants such as
Delta and Omicron have required sustained Federal, State, and local
public health resources.
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\30\ Kunkel, A., Jeon, S., Joseph, H., Dilius, P., Crowdis, K.,
Meltzer, M., Wallace, R. (2021). The urgency of resuming disrupted
dog rabies vaccination campaigns: A modeling and cost-effectiveness
analysis. Scientific Reports, 11, 12476. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-
92067-5.
\31\ Raynor, B., D[iacute]az, E., Shinnick, J., Zegarra, E.,
Monroy, Y., Mena. C., . . . Castillo-Neyra, R.(2021). The impact of
the COVID-19 pandemic on rabies reemergence in Latin America: The
case of Arequipa, Peru. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 15(5),
e0009414. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0009414.
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The importation of a rabid dog on June 10, 2021, diverted public
health resources from CDC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
and nine states away from critical COVID-19 response activities. Any
increase in the number of dogs with inadequate or falsified rabies
vaccination certificates arriving in the United States increases the
likelihood of a CRVV-importation event and threatens the diversion of
critical public health resources.\32\
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\32\ Pieracci, E., Williams, C., Wallace, R., Kalapura, C.,
Brown, C. U.S. dog importations during the COVID-19 pandemic: Do we
have an erupting problem? PLoS ONE,16(9), e0254287. doi: 10.1371/
journal.pone.0254287.
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[[Page 33162]]
C. Insufficient Veterinary Controls in High-Risk Countries To Prevent
the Export of Inadequately Vaccinated Dogs
Historically, approximately 60 to 70 percent of CDC's dog entry
denials (or about 200 cases annually) have been based on fraudulent,
incomplete, or inaccurate paperwork.\33\ This number is less than one
percent of dog importations. However, between January and December 2020
(i.e., during the COVID-19 pandemic), CDC documented more than 450
instances of incomplete, inadequate, or fraudulent rabies vaccination
certificates for dogs arriving from high-risk countries. This number
increased for the first six months of 2021, during which time CDC
documented more than 550 instances of incomplete, inadequate, or
fraudulent rabies vaccination certificates for dogs arriving from high-
risk countries.\34\ These cases resulted in dogs being denied entry
into the United States and ultimately returned to their country of
origin. Additionally, because of fewer international flights worldwide,
several dogs were denied entry and subsequently placed in conditions
later found to be unsafe.
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\33\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021).
Quarantine Activity Reporting System (version 4.9.8.8.2.2A). Dog
Importation data, 2010-2019. Accessed 15 February 2021.
\34\ Pieracci, E., Williams, C., Wallace, R., Kalapura, C.,
Brown, C. U.S. dog importations during the COVID-19 pandemic: Do we
have an erupting problem? PLoS ONE, 16(9), e0254287. doi: 10.1371/
journal.pone.0254287.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, canine rabies vaccination campaigns
were suspended in many high-risk countries, which resulted in an
increase in canine and human rabies cases.<SUP>35 36</SUP> The pause in
canine vaccination campaigns, combined with insufficient veterinary
controls in place to prevent the exportation of inadequately vaccinated
dogs with fraudulent rabies vaccination certificates, presents a
significant public health risk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\35\ The urgency of resuming disrupted dog rabies vaccination
campaigns: A modeling and cost-effectiveness analysis. Scientific
Reports, 11, 12476. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-92067-5.
\36\ The urgency of resuming disrupted dog rabies vaccination
campaigns: A modeling and cost-effectiveness analysis. Scientific
Reports, 11, 12476. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-92067-5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. Potentially Unsafe Conditions for Dogs Arriving From High-Risk
Countries Without Appropriate Rabies Vaccination Certificates
Prior to the implementation of the suspension, dogs arriving from
high-risk countries without appropriate rabies vaccination certificates
were denied entry and returned to the country of origin on the next
available flight.\37\ Airlines were required to house dogs awaiting
return to their country of origin at a facility, preferably a live
animal care facility with an active custodial bond and a Facilities
Information and Resource Management System (FIRMS) code issued by CBP,
which meets the USDA's Animal Welfare Act standards. If a live animal
care facility with a CBP-issued FIRMS code was not available, the
airline was required, at a minimum, to provide accommodation meeting
the USDA's Animal Welfare Act standards.\38\
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\37\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
\38\ U.S. Department of Agriculture (2020). Animal Welfare
Regulations; Part 3, Subpart A: Transportation Standards. Sections
3.14-3.20. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/AC_BlueBook_AWA_508_comp_version.pdf">https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/AC_BlueBook_AWA_508_comp_version.pdf</a>.
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Some airlines housed dogs in cargo warehouses that created an
unsafe environment for dogs due to the prolonged periods of time
between flights, inadequate cooling and heating, poor cleaning and
sanitization of crates, and inability to physically separate the
animals from areas of the warehouse where other equipment, machinery,
and goods are used and stored. Cargo warehouse staff who are not
trained to house, clean, and care for live animals with appropriate
personal protective equipment were at risk of bites, scratches, and
exposures to potentially infectious bodily fluids from dogs left in
cargo warehouses.
During 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were fewer
international flights worldwide,<SUP>39 40</SUP> resulting in delayed
returns for dogs denied entry. While international flights in 2021-2022
increased compared to 2020, the number of flights remain below pre-
pandemic levels with uncertainty regarding how quickly international
passenger traffic will recover.\41\ In August 2020, a dog denied entry
based on falsified rabies vaccination certificates later died while in
the custody of an airline at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Despite CDC's request to find appropriate housing at a local kennel or
veterinary clinic, the airline left the dog, along with 17 other dogs,
in a cargo warehouse without food and water for more than 48 hours.\42\
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\39\ Josephs, L. (2020). American Airlines cutting international
summer schedule by 60% as coronavirus drives down demand. CNBC.
Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/02/coronavirus-update-american-airlines-cuts-summer-international-flights-by-60percent-as-demand-suffers.html">https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/02/coronavirus-update-american-airlines-cuts-summer-international-flights-by-60percent-as-demand-suffers.html</a>.
\40\ American Airlines (2020). American Airlines announces
additional schedule changes in response to customer demand related
to COVID-19. American Airlines Newsroom. Retrieved from <a href="https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2020/American-Airlines-Announces-Additional-Schedule-Changes-in-Response-to-Customer-Demand-Related-to-COVID-19-031420-OPS-DIS-03/default.aspx">https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2020/American-Airlines-Announces-Additional-Schedule-Changes-in-Response-to-Customer-Demand-Related-to-COVID-19-031420-OPS-DIS-03/default.aspx</a>.
\41\ International Civil Aviation Organization (2022). Effects
of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on civil aviation: Economic impact
analysis. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.icao.int/sustainability/Documents/Covid-19/ICAO_coronavirus_Econ_Impact.pdf">https://www.icao.int/sustainability/Documents/Covid-19/ICAO_coronavirus_Econ_Impact.pdf</a>.
\42\ CBS Broadcasting (2020). Dog dies at O'Hare Airport
warehouse, 17 others saved after being left without food or water
for 3 days. CBS Chicago. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/dog-dies-at-ohare-airport-warehouse-17-others-saved-after-being-left-without-food-or-water-for-3-days">https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/dog-dies-at-ohare-airport-warehouse-17-others-saved-after-being-left-without-food-or-water-for-3-days</a>.
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While airlines are ultimately responsible for finding appropriate
housing for dogs denied entry (and paying the cost of housing if
importers abandon the animal), the inconsistent number of flights and
frequent changes to flight schedules due to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2
variants in 2021 created significant administrative and financial
burden for Federal, State, and local Governments. Uncertainty regarding
the number of available international passenger flights is likely to
continue through 2022, and possibly into 2023. The challenge of housing
dogs denied entry pending their return to their country of origin is
complicated by the limited numbers of animal care facilities with a
CBP-issued FIRMS code for holding animals at ports of entry. In such
cases, the Government may be required to find and pay the costs for
individualized solutions to ensure appropriate accommodations for
prolonged periods of time for these animals.
During 2020, CDC observed a 52 percent increase in the number of
dogs ineligible for entry compared to 2018 and 2019.\43\ The trend
continued in the first half of 2021 when there was an 18 percent
increase in the number of dogs ineligible for entry compared to full-
year 2020.\44\ From January 1, 2021, to July 13, 2021, prior to CDC's
suspension taking effect, there were 16 sick dogs and 18 dead dogs
reported to CDC upon arrival in the United States. From July 14, 2021,
to December 31, 2021, since
[[Page 33163]]
the suspension was implemented, CDC has denied entry to 72 dogs, and
only one sick dog and nine deaths have been reported to CDC. This
significant decrease in the number of dogs denied entry since the
implementation of the suspension and decrease in the number of sick and
dead dogs arriving in the United States has resulted in an estimated
$55,000 to $190,000 in cost savings to importers and $3,400 to $170,000
in cost savings to Federal and State partners when comparing the two
periods.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\43\ Pieracci, E., Williams, C., Wallace, R., Kalapura, C.,
Brown, C. U.S. dog importations during the COVID-19 pandemic: Do we
have an erupting problem? PLoS ONE, 16(9), e0254287. doi: 10.1371/
journal.pone.0254287.
\44\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Quarantine
Activity Reporting System (version 4.9.8.8.2.2A). Dog Importation
data, January 1, 2021-July 14, 2021. Accessed: 04 January 2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the timeframe of the current suspension, the number of dogs
denied entry and the number of sick dogs has significantly decreased.
Lifting the suspension at this time would likely result in a return to
pre-suspension levels of dogs denied entry along with an associated
large increase of sick, dead, or inadequately vaccinated dogs arriving
in the United States that would quickly overwhelm an already strained
public health system. Remedying this situation may involve more live-
animal care facilities to house dogs safely, and the ability and
commitment by airline carriers to return dogs to the country of
departure within one to two days of denial of entry.
While costs associated with housing, caring for dogs, and returning
dogs are the responsibility of the importer (or airline if the importer
abandons the dog), some importers and airlines are reluctant to pay
these costs, requiring the Federal Government to find appropriate
interim housing facilities and veterinary care. The cost for housing,
care, and returning improperly vaccinated dogs ranges between $1,000
and $4,000 per dog, depending on the location and time required until
the next available return flight. Because there is no reimbursement
system in place, and seeking reimbursement is administratively
challenging, the Federal Government is left to bear these costs when
airlines and importers do not.
The increasing demand to vaccinate and quarantine dogs that have
been denied entry presents an increased burden to Federal, State, and
local public health agencies still engaged in response activities
related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased inspections, medical
care, and appropriate quarantine of dogs inadequately vaccinated
against rabies has financially burdened Federal and State public health
agencies.
From May through December 2020, CDC spent more than 3,000
personnel-hours at an estimated cost of $270,000 to respond to the
attempted importation of unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated dogs
from high-risk countries during these eight months. The time spent
represented a substantial increase from previous years due to: (1) The
increase in dogs with inadequate documentation; and (2) the additional
time spent identifying interim accommodations for the dogs because of
the reduced outbound international flight schedules due to the
pandemic.
Although the burden of U.S. COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and
deaths decreased during the first four months of 2022, resources
continue to be required for COVID-19 response efforts. The COVID-19
response remains a priority for HHS/CDC and state, tribal, local, and
territorial authorities, and CDC foresees the need to continue COVID-19
public health response efforts into 2023. Because mitigating the
current COVID-19 pandemic remains CDC's paramount objective and
responding to imports of potentially rabid dogs would divert resources
and personnel from CDC and other Federal, State, and local public
health partners, completely lifting the suspension would be unwarranted
at this time.
Instead, CDC is modifying the temporary suspension to allow for a
wider range of importers to import dogs into the United States from
high-risk countries. Given that the conditions for dog importations
under the suspension have decreased the number of issues that existed
prior to the suspension (suspected fraudulent documentation, dogs
abandoned by importers, sick and dead dogs arriving in the United
States), increasing importer eligibility should not result in the
diversion of public health resources from the COVID-19 pandemic
response to dog importation issues. Additionally, because there are
more flights now than during earlier stages of the pandemic, dogs
denied entry can be returned more quickly to their country of
departure, if needed.
III. Conditions for Dog Importation Under the Temporary Suspension
During the temporary suspension, eligible importers, including
owners of service dogs, U.S. and foreign-government personnel, and
persons permanently relocating to the United States, could apply to
import their personally owned pet dogs. People were also permitted to
import dogs for science, education, or exhibition purposes. To receive
a permit, eligible importers had to provide a rabies vaccination
certificate prior to the dog's arriving in the United States that meets
the criteria outlined below, as well as rabies serologic titers from an
approved laboratory if the dog was vaccinated outside the United
States. Dogs were also required to be at least six months of age and
have a microchip implanted prior to arrival in the United States.
For dogs arriving from high-risk countries, the rabies vaccination
certificates had to include the following information to be considered
complete and accurate:
<bullet> Name and address of owner;
<bullet> Breed, sex, date of birth (approximate age if date of
birth unknown), color, markings, and other identifying information for
the dog;
<bullet> Microchip number;
<bullet> Date of rabies vaccination and vaccine product
information;
<bullet> Date the vaccination expires; and
<bullet> Name, license number, address, and signature of
veterinarian who administered the vaccination.
For a rabies vaccine to be effective, the dog must be at least 12
weeks (84 days) of age at the time of administration. A dog's initial
vaccine must also be administered at least four weeks (28 days) before
arrival in the United States.
A. Modifications to Conditions for Dog Importation Under the Temporary
Suspension
CDC has been exercising its enforcement discretion to allow dogs
six months of age or older that are microchipped and accompanied by
valid U.S. rabies vaccination certificates to re-enter the United
States without a CDC Dog Import Permit. Because these dogs had been
previously vaccinated in the United States, CDC determined that
allowing them to enter without a CDC Dog Import Permit would be
unlikely to endanger the public's health. For dogs vaccinated outside
the United States, consistent with public health standards of practice,
CDC also expanded the number of approved rabies titer labs \45\ from
five to 60 labs and reduced the timeframe between when a sample is
collected and when a dog is eligible to enter the United States from 90
days to 45 days for foreign-vaccinated dogs.
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\45\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Approved
Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs. Retrieved from
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/approved-labs.html">https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/approved-labs.html</a>.
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Additionally, CDC has allowed imported dogs to enter through any of
the 18 CDC-staffed ports of entry listed below during the temporary
suspension period, as opposed to only the four ports (and only one port
in July 2021 when the suspension was first implemented) of entry with
live animal care facilities. This decision was based on CDC's review of
dog importation data during the temporary suspension period that noted
a significant decrease in the
[[Page 33164]]
arrival of ill dogs or dogs denied entry, reducing the need for dogs to
only enter through ports with a live animal care facility. CDC intends
to continue to allow travelers importing two or fewer personally owned
pet dogs from high-risk countries to enter the United States through
any of the 18 ports of entry with CDC-staffed Quarantine Stations for
the remainder of the suspension in accordance with sections IV and V of
this Federal Register notice. The approved ports of entry include
Anchorage (ANC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas
(DFW), Detroit (DTW), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX),
Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR),
Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA),
and Washington DC (IAD).
Table 1 compares the requirements in the June 2021 Federal Register
notice with the current practice that has been in effect since December
1, 2021.
Table 1--Import Requirements for Dogs Outlined in the June 2021 Federal
Register Notice and Current Practices During the Suspension.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current practice (since
June 2021 suspension December 1, 2021)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only eligible * importers may apply for Only eligible * importers may
a permit. apply for a permit.
Six-month age requirement.............. Six-month age requirement.
Microchip.............................. Microchip.
U.S. or foreign-issued rabies U.S.** or foreign-issued rabies
vaccination certificate. vaccination certificate.
Titer from approved lab (five labs) Titer from approved lab (60
drawn 90 days before planned entry. labs) drawn at least 45 days
before planned entry for dogs
with a foreign-issued rabies
vaccination certificate.
Entry only through approved port of Entry only through approved
entry with a live animal care facility port of entry (18 ports of
(one port of entry). entry).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Eligible importers include: U.S. citizens and lawful residents
relocating to the United States (including U.S. and foreign government
personnel); owners of service animals; and importers who wish to
import dogs for purposes related to science, education, exhibition, or
law enforcement.
** Dogs returning to the United States from high-risk countries with a
valid U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate are allowed to enter
the United States without a CDC Dog Import Permit provided that all
requirements in Section IV were met.
IV. Conditions for Entry of U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs During the Extension
Through this notice, CDC is modifying the conditions for entry of
U.S.-vaccinated dogs to reduce the burden on importers. Dogs returning
to the United States from high-risk countries with a valid U.S.-issued
rabies vaccination certificate will be allowed to enter the United
States without a CDC Dog Import Permit, if the dog:
<bullet> Is six months of age or older;
<bullet> Has a microchip;
<bullet> Arrives at one of 18 CDC-approved ports of entry with CDC
quarantine stations; and
<bullet> Has a valid U.S. rabies vaccination certificate
documenting that the dog was vaccinated against rabies by a U.S.-
licensed veterinarian in the United States on or after the date the dog
was 12 weeks of age. The rabies vaccination certificate must include:
[cir] Name and address of owner;
[cir] Breed, sex, date of birth (approximate age if date of birth
unknown), color, markings, and other identifying information for the
dog;
[cir] Microchip number;
[cir] Date of rabies vaccination and date next vaccine is due
(i.e., date the vaccination expires);
[cir] Vaccine manufacturer, product name, lot number and product
expiration date; and
[cir] Name, license number, address, and signature of veterinarian
who administered the vaccination.
This is consistent with CDC's practices as of December 1, 2021, and
is a modification to the terms of the original temporary suspension
announced in the June 2021 Federal Register notice (86 FR 32041, June
16, 2021).
V. Conditions for Entry of Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs With a CDC Dog
Import Permit During the Extension
CDC is further modifying the terms of the original temporary
suspension published in the June 2021 Federal Register notice (86 FR
32041, June 16, 2021). All importers are now eligible to import dogs;
therefore, there are no longer eligibility criteria as to who may
import dogs. Under the temporary suspension, importers who met the
eligibility criteria could make a one-time request to import up to
three dogs as part of a single importation. CDC is herein modifying the
terms of the temporary suspension to allow importers of personal pet
dogs the opportunity to receive up to two CDC Dog Import Permits (i.e.,
permits for two dogs) during the suspension. Further, under the
modified temporary extension, personal pet owners no longer need to
provide documentary proof of their eligibility (e.g., employment
relocation letter or official orders). Commercial importers and
personal pet owners who do not have a serologic titer result for their
dog also now have an alternate pathway for importation.
All importers of personal pet dogs (defined for the purpose of this
notice as owners or importers attempting to import fewer than three
dogs during the suspension) from high-risk countries are now eligible
to apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit. Commercial dog importers (defined
for the purpose of this notice as importing three or more dogs during
the suspension) are not eligible for a CDC Dog Import Permit and must
meet the requirements for entry outlined in Section VI below. In
summary, CDC has removed the requirement to submit documentary proof of
eligibility for personal pet owners to be able to receive permits and
reduced the number of personal pets that can receive permits during the
temporary suspension from three to two. Additionally, CDC is allowing
importers of personal pets without serologic titer results and
commercial importers to import dogs during the extension, as set forth
in Section VI.
Foreign-vaccinated dogs arriving from high-risk countries with a
valid CDC Dog Import Permit will be allowed to enter the United States
if the dogs:
<bullet> Are six months of age or older (photographs of the dog's
teeth are required for age verification);
<bullet> Have a microchip;
<bullet> Have a valid rabies vaccination certificate from a non-
U.S.-licensed veterinarian. The certificate must state that the vaccine
was administered on or after the date the dog was 12 weeks (84 days) of
age and at least 28 days prior
[[Page 33165]]
to entry, if it was the dog's initial vaccine. The certificate must be
in English or accompanied by a certified English translation;
<bullet> Have serologic evidence of rabies vaccination (titer) from
an approved rabies serology laboratory \46\ (serologic titer results
>=0.5 IU/mL are required) with the sample collected at least 45 days
prior to entry and no greater than 365 days before entry; and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\46\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Approved
Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs. Retrieved from
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/approved-labs.html">https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/approved-labs.html</a>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<bullet> Arrive at one of the 18 CDC-approved ports of entry with
CDC-staffed quarantine stations.
To apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit, importers whose dogs meet the
entry requirements listed above must submit the Application for Special
Exemption for a Permitted Dog Import, [approved under OMB Control
Number 0920-0134 Foreign Quarantine Regulations (exp. 06/30/2022), or
as revised]. The permit application is available online at <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/dogpermit">www.cdc.gov/dogpermit</a>.
The importer's request, with all supporting documentation, must be
submitted at least 30 business days before the date on which the dog
will enter the United States. Importers may submit an application
electronically at <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/dogpermit">www.cdc.gov/dogpermit</a>. Applicants should submit all
required materials with their permit application at least 30 business
days prior to their planned arrival date in the United States. A
request cannot be made at the port of entry upon the dogs' arrival in
the United States; dogs that arrive without a CDC Dog Import Permit
will be returned to their country of origin on the next available
flight or quarantined at the importer's expense at a CDC-approved
animal facility (see Section VI).
Consistent with CDC's current policies but representing a
modification of the terms of the original temporary suspension
published in the June 2021 Federal Register notice (86 FR 32041, June
16, 2021), dogs arriving from a high-risk country with a valid CDC Dog
Import Permit must enter the United States at one of 18 CDC-approved
ports of entry. This revision eases the burden on importers compared to
the temporary suspension, which limited entry to one approved port of
entry at the time the Federal Register notice was published.
Within 10 days of arrival, foreign-vaccinated dogs with a CDC Dog
Import Permit must receive a USDA-licensed rabies booster vaccination
by a U.S. veterinarian.
VI. Conditions for Entry of Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs Without a CDC Dog
Import Permit During the Extension
CDC is also modifying the terms of the temporary suspension
published in the June 2021 Federal Register notice (86 FR 32041, June
16, 2021) to reduce the burden and provide a pathway for commercial dog
importers to import dogs. While importers of commercial shipments of
dogs cannot apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit, a separate entry
process, as outlined below, has been established. All commercial dog
importers from high-risk countries may now import dogs provided that
the dogs, upon entering the United States, are examined, revaccinated,
and have proof of an adequate titer from a CDC-approved laboratory upon
arrival or are held in quarantine at a CDC-approved animal facility
until they meet CDC entry requirements. Importers of personally owned
pets may also choose to use this pathway in lieu of obtaining a CDC Dog
Import Permit.
Foreign-vaccinated dogs without a valid CDC Dog Import Permit must
meet all other entry requirements (sections VI-VII) prior to arrival
and also meet the following requirements:
<bullet> Dogs must enter at a port of entry with a CDC-approved
animal facility.\47\
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\47\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Bringing
a dog into the United States. Retrieved from <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/dogtravel">www.cdc.gov/dogtravel</a>.
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<bullet> Dogs must be six months of age or older at the time of
entry.
<bullet> Prior to arrival in the United States, importers must
arrange for an examination date and time and reserve space with a CDC-
approved animal facility.
<bullet> Importers must arrange for transportation by a CBP-bonded
transporter (i.e., provided by the airline carrier or a CDC-approved
animal facility) to a CDC-approved animal facility immediately upon
arrival.
<bullet> Dogs must undergo veterinary examination and revaccination
against rabies at a CDC-approved animal facility upon arrival at the
importer's expense.
Dogs must also be held at the CDC-approved animal facility until
the following entry requirements are completed:
<bullet> Veterinary health examination by a USDA-accredited
veterinarian for signs of zoonotic or foreign disease. Suspected or
confirmed zoonotic or foreign animal diseases must be reported to CDC,
USDA, the state or territorial public health veterinarian. The state or
territorial veterinarian and the CDC-approved animal facility must not
release the dog without the written approval of CDC.
<bullet> Vaccination against rabies with a USDA-licensed rabies
vaccine and administered by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
<bullet> Confirmation of microchip number.
<bullet> Confirmation of age through dental examination by a USDA-
accredited veterinarian.
<bullet> Verification of adequate rabies titer from an approved
lab. Serologic titer results of >=0.5IU/mL are required from a CDC-
approved laboratory, with the sample collected at least 45 days prior
to entry and no greater than 365 days before entry. Dogs that arrive
without documentation of an adequate rabies titer from an approved lab
must be housed at the CDC-approved animal facility for a 28-day
quarantine at the expense of the importer following administration of
the U.S. rabies vaccine in addition to meeting the criteria listed
above. Dogs cannot be released from quarantine unless all requirements
have been met.
Importers are responsible for all fees associated with the
importation of dogs into the United States, including transportation,
examination, vaccination, and quarantine fees.
Foreign-vaccinated dogs arriving without a CDC Dog Import Permit
must enter the United States through a CDC-approved port of entry with
a CDC-approved animal facility. As of May 2022, these facilities are
located at: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, John F.
Kennedy International Airport (New York), Los Angeles International
Airport, and Miami International Airport. Importers are responsible for
reserving examination times and space at the CDC-approved animal
facility prior to arrival in the United States. Dogs that arrive at
unapproved ports of entry or without reservations at the animal
facility will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure.
VII. Continued Conditions for All Dogs From High-Risk Countries During
the Extension
Consistent with the terms of the original temporary suspension
published in the June 2021 Federal Register notice (86 FR 32041, June
16, 2021), all dogs arriving from high-risk countries must be
microchipped prior to arrival in the United States. The microchip can
be administered in any country and does not need to be a U.S.-issued
microchip. The microchip number must be listed on the rabies
vaccination certificate.
Any dog from a high-risk country will be excluded from entering the
United States and returned to its country of origin on the next
available flight,
[[Page 33166]]
regardless of carrier or route, if the dog arrives under the following
circumstances:
<bullet> A dog arrives in the United States and does not meet the
minimum pre-arrival requirements (i.e., age greater than six months,
microchip, valid rabies vaccination certificate).
<bullet> A dog presented does not match the description of the
animal listed on the permit (if required) or rabies vaccination
certificate.
<bullet> A dog arrives at an unapproved port of entry.
<bullet> A dog arrives at an airport with a CDC-approved animal
facility without a reservation (if required) and no space at the
facility is available.
<bullet> Importer refuses transportation to, or receipt of or
payment for services at, a CDC-approved animal facility (if required).
The importer shall be financially responsible for all housing,
care, and return costs. If an importer abandons a dog while it is at a
CDC-approved animal facility, the carrier shall become responsible for
all costs associated with the care, housing, and return of the dog to
the country of departure. In keeping with current practice, importers
should continue to check with Federal, State, and local Government
officials regarding additional requirements of the final destination
prior to entry or re-entry into the United States.
VIII. Additional Determinations Relating to This Notice
Pursuant to the terms of this notice, CDC is modifying the
temporary suspension for the importation of dogs from high-risk rabies-
enzootic countries. This suspension includes dogs originating in CRVV
low-risk or CRVV-free countries that have been in a high-risk country
in the previous six months (not including animals transiting through
high-risk countries).
To enter the United States, dogs must meet certain entry
requirements as described in Sections IV through VII of this notice,
including, as applicable: having a valid U.S. rabies vaccination
certificate; having a CDC Dog Import Permit; and being examined,
vaccinated, and subject to quarantine at a CDC-approved animal
facility.
Importers wishing to import foreign-vaccinated dogs that are their
personally owned pets from high-risk countries must:
1. Submit a request for advanced written permission (i.e.,
Application for Special Exemption for a Permitted Dog Import, [approved
under OMB Control Number 0920-0134 Foreign Quarantine Regulations (exp.
06/30/2022, or as revised)] at least 30 business days prior to planned
importation in the United States at <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/dogpermit">www.cdc.gov/dogpermit</a>.
2. Submit all documentation listed above in Section V Application
for Special Exemption for a Permitted Dog Import.
The Application for Special Exemption for a Permitted Dog Import
must include proof of the dog's identity, including pictures of the
dog's teeth, other descriptive details, proof of rabies vaccination,
serologic titer results, and microchip information. Dogs arriving from
high-risk countries must enter the United States at a CDC-approved port
of entry or a port of entry with a CDC-approved animal facility if they
do not possess a valid U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate or
CDC Dog Import Permit.
Pursuant to the terms of this notice, CDC is not requiring U.S.-
vaccinated dogs returning to the United States from a high-risk country
for dog rabies to apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit provided the dog
meets the criteria outlined in Section IV. Additionally, CDC does not
require a CDC Dog Import Permit for commercial dogs because they must
be examined, vaccinated, and are subject to quarantine at a CDC-
approved animal facility upon arrival as outlined in Section VI.
Table 2--Entry Conditions for Dogs Under Modified Suspension Guidelines
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dogs with valid Dogs with valid Dogs with valid Dogs with valid
foreign RVC (fewer foreign RVC (fewer foreign RVC (three foreign RVC (three
Dogs with valid U.S. rabies than three dogs than three dogs or more dogs being or more dogs being
vaccination certificate (RVC) being imported) being imported) imported) with imported) without
with titer without titer titer titer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At least six months of age...... At least six At least six At least six At least six
months of age. months of age. months of age. months of age.
Microchip....................... Microchip......... Microchip......... Microchip......... Microchip.
Entry allowed at 18 ports of Entry allowed at Entry allowed at Entry allowed at Entry allowed at
entry with CDC quarantine 18 ports of entry four ports of four ports of four ports of
station. with CDC entry with CDC- entry with CDC- entry with CDC-
quarantine approved animal approved animal approved animal
station with facility. facility. facility.
valid CDC Dog
Import Permit
issued prior to
arrival.
Titer not needed................ Serologic titer Not applicable *.. Serologic titer Not applicable *.
(>=0.5 IU/mL) (>=0.5 IU/mL)
from a CDC- from a CDC-
approved approved
laboratory. laboratory.
Titer drawn at Titer drawn at
least 45 days least 45 days
before entry and before entry and
not more than 365 not more than 365
days before entry. days before entry.
No quarantine................... No quarantine..... 28-day quarantine No quarantine..... 28-day quarantine
at CDC-approved at CDC-approved
animal facility. animal facility.
Veterinary exam, booster Veterinary exam or Veterinary Veterinary Veterinary
vaccination or quarantine not quarantine not examination, examination, examination,
required unless the animal required with booster booster booster
appears ill upon arrival. valid CDC Dog vaccination, and vaccination, and vaccination, and
Import Permit paperwork paperwork paperwork
unless the animal verification at verification at verification at
appears ill upon CDC-approved CDC-approved CDC-approved
arrival. animal facility animal facility animal facility
Booster required upon required upon required upon
vaccination is arrival. arrival. arrival.
required within
10 days of
arrival by U.S.
veterinarian.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This is an alternate pathway for importation in the event documentation of an adequate titer is not available
upon arrival.
[[Page 33167]]
The suspension will continue to reduce the risk of importation of
CRVV, ensure public health safeguards are in place for the importation
of dogs from high-risk countries, and preserve public health resources
needed for the COVID-19 response. The terms of the suspension allow for
sufficient safeguards to mitigate the public health risk. The
suspension will also allow CDC to continue to work with Federal and
State partners, airlines, and other affected parties to consider
options for a more streamlined and efficient dog importation process
that will be safer for pets. It will allow all importers, including
commercial importers, a pathway to import dogs. Most importantly, it
will ensure that U.S. public health remains protected.
Therefore, pursuant to 42 CFR 71.51(e) and 42 CFR 71.63, CDC hereby
excludes the entry and suspends (subject to the terms, conditions, and
modifications outlined in this notice) the importation of dogs from
high-risk countries, including dogs from CRVV low-risk and CRVV-free
countries if the dogs have been present in a high-risk country in the
previous six months.
Additionally, under 42 CFR 71.63, CDC continues to find that CRVV
exists in countries designated as high-risk countries and that, if
reintroduced into the United States, CRVV would threaten the public
health of the United States. The continued entry of dogs from high-risk
countries in the context of the current limited CDC resources and
personnel dedicated to COVID-19 response activities and the
insufficient safeguards in place to prevent the exportation of
inadequately vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries further increases
the risk that CRVV may be introduced, transmitted, or spread into the
United States. CDC has coordinated in advance with other Federal
agencies as necessary to implement and enforce this notice.
This notice is not a legislative rule within the meaning of the
Administrative Procedure Act (APA), but rather a notice of an exclusion
and temporary suspension taken under the existing authority of 42 CFR
71.51(e) and 42 CFR 71.63, which were previously promulgated with full
notice and comment. If this notice qualifies as a legislative rule
under the APA, notice and comment and a delay in effective date are not
required because there is good cause to dispense with prior public
notice and the opportunity to comment on this notice. Considering the
public health emergency caused by the virus associated with COVID-19,
the insufficient safeguards in place to prevent the exportation of
inadequately vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries, the ongoing
diversion of global public health resources and personnel to respond to
the pandemic, and the risk of reintroduction of CRVV from dogs being
imported from high-risk countries, it would be impractical and contrary
to the public's health, and by extension the public's interest, to
delay the issuance and effective date of this notice. Notwithstanding,
CDC is publishing this notice in advance of its effective date, to
allow potential dog importers and other interested parties sufficient
time to adjust their practices in accordance with the terms of this
modified suspension.
This temporary suspension will enter into effect on June 10, 2022,
and remain in effect through January 31, 2023, unless modified or
rescinded by the CDC Director based on public health or other
considerations.
Dated: May 26, 2022.
Sherri Berger,
Chief of Staff, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
APPENDIX
Economic Impact of this Temporary Suspension
Executive Orders 12866: ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' and
13563: ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review'' direct
agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory
alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory
approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic,
environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive
impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the
importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs,
harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility.
Although the extension of the temporary suspension of dogs from
countries at high-risk for CRVV is expected to reduce the number of
dogs imported into the United States, importers or dogs with valid
rabies vaccination certificates administered in the United States
should not be affected by the suspension. In addition, for dogs
vaccinated outside the United States, eligible importers of dogs
from high-risk countries will be able to apply for a CDC Dog Import
Permit at least 30 business days prior to planned importation in the
United States for two or fewer dogs. In addition, any importer can
bring in dogs that are appropriately followed up in the United
States at a CDC-approved facility. Appropriate follow up will depend
on whether importers have obtained serologic evidence of rabies
immunity from titer testing prior to arrival in the United States.
For dogs with serologic evidence of immunity, such dogs will need to
be transported to a CDC-approved facility, re-vaccinated, and
undergo a veterinary examination. For dogs lacking serologic
evidence, such dogs would need to be examined, re-vaccinated, and
quarantined for 28 days. Thus, all importers will be able to import
dogs from high-risk countries if they are willing to take
appropriate precautions to protect public health. However, CDC
assumes that the additional costs to comply with these requirements
will reduce the number of dogs vaccinated outside the United States
and imported from high-risk countries by 20 percent.
CDC has previously estimated that between 87,000 and 116,000
dogs are imported from high-risk countries each year.\48\ This
estimate is significantly greater than the numbers recorded by CBP
for formal entry under HTS code 0106199120 and HTS Description:
Other live animals, other, dogs, which averaged 16,390 and varied
from 9,966 to 24,031 over the 3-year period from 2018 through 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\48\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The number of dogs reported under this HTS category does not
include hand-carried dogs traveling in airplane cabins or crossing
at land borders without formal entry and, thus, are not inclusive of
all dog imports. To account for the uncertainty in the number of
dogs imported to the United States from high-risk countries without
formal entry, CDC used the following assumptions in the analysis of
this action: 1) Most likely estimate: three times the average number
of dogs with formal entry from reported in 2020 was 60,696 dogs per
year, 2) Lower bound: two times the average number of dogs with
formal entry from 2020 (32,781), and 3) Upper bound: five times the
number of dogs arriving in the highest year (2019) (120,155). These
baseline estimates are used throughout the analysis (Table A1).
The suspension will impact importers differently depending on
whether their dogs were vaccinated in the United States or outside
the United States. For dogs vaccinated in the United States, CDC
assumed the extension of the suspension would have a negligible
impact on the number of dogs imported. During the first four and a
halfmonths of the temporary suspension, dogs with valid U.S. RVCs
were required to apply for permits. During this period, about 61
percent of dogs had U.S. RVCs among those for which permits were
requested; however, the temporary suspension limited the categories
of importers eligible to receive permits. Thus, these data have
limited generalizability to a scenario in which all importers would
be eligible for permits. Given this uncertainty, CDC assumed that
about 50 percent of imported dogs have U.S. RVCs, while the other 50
percent would have RVCs from other countries. To account for
uncertainty, CDC also considered a range of 35 to 60 percent of
imported dogs from high-risk countries would have U.S. RVCs.
CDC assumed that the temporary suspension would reduce the
number of dogs imported from high-risk countries with non-
[[Page 33168]]
U.S. RVCs by 20 percent and considered a range of 10-40 percent to
calculate lower and upper bound estimates. This would result in
estimates of 54,626 (range: 27,536 to 112,345 dogs) dogs imported
per year with the suspension in place. The temporary suspension
would reduce the estimated numbers of dogs imported per year by
6,070 (range: 5,245 to 7,810 dogs). Among imported dogs, CDC
estimated that about 12,139 dogs (range: 3,934 to 35,145 dogs) would
have import permits. Another 11,896 dogs (range: 3,855 to 34,442
dogs) would arrive with titers, but without permits. Finally, about
243 dogs (range: 79 to 703 dogs) would arrive without titers and
would require a 28-day quarantine period.
CDC also estimated the numbers of dogs denied entry under the
baseline and with the temporary suspension in effect (see Table A1
below). An estimated 500 dogs (range: 300 to 750 dogs) would be
denied entry under the baseline based on data from 2020 and previous
years. The temporary suspension and CDC permit process are expected
to reduce the number of dogs denied entry by 90 percent (range: 85
to 100 percent) such that only 50 (range: 0 to 50) dogs would be
denied entry with this temporary suspension. During the first six
and a halfmonths of the previous temporary suspension, about 72 dogs
were denied entry, corresponding to about 133 dogs over a full year.
However, dogs would be allowed to undergo a 28-day quarantine at a
CDC-approved facility in lieu of being returned to their countries
of origin, provided space was available at the CDC-approved
facility.
Table A1--Estimated Numbers of Dogs From High-Risk Countries Imported or Denied Entry Under the Baseline And
With The Temporary Suspension
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most likely
estimate Lower bound Upper bound
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated number of dogs imported from high-risk countries at 60,696 32,781 120,155
baseline (A)...................................................
Estimated percent with U.S. rabies vaccination certificates 50% 60%* 35%
(RVCs) (B).....................................................
Number of dogs with U.S. RVCs at baseline and with temporary 30,348 19,669 42,054
suspension (C) = (A) x (B).....................................
Number of dogs with non-U.S. RVCs at baseline (D) = (A) - (C)... 30,348 13,112 78,101
Assumed percent of dogs with non-U.S. RVCs that would not be 20% 40%* 10%
imported due to additional requirements under the temporary
suspension (E).................................................
Assumed percent of dogs with non-U.S. RVCs that would be 40% 30% 45%
imported with CDC permits under the temporary suspension (F)...
Assumed percent of dogs imported with an adequate rabies titer 39% 29% 44%
and requiring follow-up at CDC-approved facility under the
temporary suspension (G).......................................
Assumed percent of dogs imported without titer and requiring 28- 0.8% 0.6% 0.9%
day quarantine at CDC-approved facility under the temporary
suspension (H).................................................
Estimated number of dogs Arriving with CDC permit (I) = (D) x 12,139 3,934 35,145
(F)............................................................
Estimated number of dogs imported with titer, but no CDC permit 11,896 3,855 34,442
(J) = (D) x (G)................................................
Estimated number of dogs without titer and requiring 28-day 243 79 703
quarantine (K) = (D) x (H).....................................
Total imported dogs with non-U.S. RVCs (L) = (I) + (J) + (K).... 24,278 7,867 70,291
Estimated number of dogs imported from high-risk countries with 54,626 27,536 112,345
temporary suspension (M) = (C) + (L)...........................
Change in number of dogs imported from high-risk countries (N) = 6,070 5,245 7,810
(A) - (M)......................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of dogs denied entry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated number of dogs denied entry from high-risk countries 500 300 750
at baseline (O)................................................
Estimated % reduction in dogs denied entry with temporary 90% 85% 100%
suspension (P).................................................
Estimated number of dogs denied entry with temporary suspension 50 45 -
(Q) = (O) x (1 - (P))..........................................
Change in numbers of dogs denied entry with temporary suspension 450 255 750
(R) = (O) - (Q)................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Although not a lower bound estimate for this parameter, the larger percentage results in smaller total cost
estimates. As the percentage reduction in the number of dogs imported from high-risk countries increases, the
estimated cost of the temporary suspension decreases. This results, in part, from the unknown cost per dog
imported from a high-risk country that would otherwise not be imported due to the suspension. The revised
suspension allows all dogs to enter if the importer complies with the entry requirements. Therefore, importers
could determine whether the additional costs are greater than the value of importing dogs from high-risk
countries. This would vary by importer depending on their own operating costs and CDC cannot estimate these
costs.
The estimated costs and benefits (in 2020 U.S. dollars) associated
with the temporary suspension of dogs from countries at high-risk for
CRVV are summarized in Table A2. CDC estimates that importers, CDC, and
DHS/CBP will incur a total of about $22 million in costs (range: $4.6
to $88 million) over a one-year period with the suspension. The large
difference between the lower and upper bound is due to both uncertainty
in the number of dogs imported from high-risk countries under the
baseline as well as uncertainty in many of the costs associated with
the suspension. Although the one-year costs are presented in the table,
the expected costs (and benefits) of the extension will depend on the
duration in which the extension is in effect. If the suspension ends on
January 31, 2023 (approximately 0.64 years), the estimated total costs
of the extension would be pro-rated to about $14 million (range: $3.0
to $56 million).
Most of the costs will be incurred by importers (most likely one-
year estimate of $21 million, or 93 percent of the total cost
estimate), among whom most of the costs will be incurred by importers
of dogs vaccinated outside the United States, who will have to: (1)
Spend time completing the application for a CDC Dog Import Permit or
incur costs for veterinary examination and revaccination after arrival
at a CDC-approved facility; (2) pay for serologic testing; and (3)
incur the potential economic costs of being unable to import a dog from
a high-risk country (either the inability to travel with a pet from a
high-risk country or the need to substitute the importation of a dog
from CRVV-free or low-risk country instead of a dog from a high-risk
country). In addition, all importers of dogs from high-risk countries
will be required to have microchips implanted in their dogs.\49\
Finally, some importers will need to re-route travel to a port of entry
with a CDC quarantine station (if they have a CDC permit or U.S. RVC)
or to a smaller number of airports with a CDC-approved animal facility
(if they do not have a CDC permit).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\49\ In the cost estimate, CDC assumed that the majority of dogs
(90%) would be implanted with microchips with or without this
requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 33169]]
In addition, airlines will incur about 3.1 percent of the most
likely total cost estimate (reported in Table A2) to spend additional
time reviewing documentation of importers and due to the reduction in
number of dogs transported. CDC will incur about 3.9 percent of the
most likely total cost estimate, primarily for review of permit
applications.
The one-year benefits (averted costs) from the temporary suspension
are estimated to be $1.2 million (range: $0.47 to $2.9 million). If the
suspension extension ends on January 31, 2023, the estimated benefits
over 0.64 years would be $740,000 (range: $300,000 to $1.9 million).
About 31 percent of the benefits of the temporary suspension accrue to
CBP due to the reduction in: The number of dogs imported from high-risk
countries that require time for screening and review of RVCs; the
number of dogs denied entry; and the time to review a CDC Dog Import
Permit instead of the time required to review documentation under the
baseline. Importers, CDC, and airlines also benefit from the costs
averted by the reduction in the number of dogs denied entry with the
suspension relative to baseline. The net cost of the temporary
suspension is calculated as the difference between the annual costs and
the annual benefits resulting in a net estimate cost of $21 million
(range: $4.2 to $85 million).
Table A2--Summary Table of Benefits and Costs, in 2020 U.S. Dollars, Over a One-Year Time Horizon *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most likely
Category estimate Lower bound Upper bound
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits
Annual monetized benefits to importers of dogs from high- $481,281 $254,614 $2,173,957
risk countries.............................................
Annual monetized benefits to airlines........................... 108,000 20,400 450,000
Annual monetized benefits to DHS/CBP............................ 360,084 160,309 854,518
Annual monetized benefits to CDC................................ 204,399 84,960 548,100
Total annualized monetized benefits..................... 1,153,764 471,045 2,878,428
-----------------------------------------------
Quantified, but unmonetized, benefits....................... The estimated costs associated with a public
health response to a dog imported while
infected with canine rabies virus variant
(CRVV) are $323,742, range: $220,897 to
$521,828. The permit requirement for high-risk
countries should reduce the risk of
importation of dogs infected with CRVV.
Qualitative benefits........................................ Any importation of a dog with CRVV will
require the reallocation of limited public
health resources to support a response to
mitigate the risk of transmission of CRVV.
This could reduce the resources available for
COVID-19 response activities and vaccination
programs. In addition, these competing
priorities may increase the risk of unlikely,
but very costly outcomes associated with an
importation of a dog with CRVV such as 1) the
potential risk of death in a person who may be
unaware of his/her exposure to a dog with CRVV
and 2) the risk of re-introduction of CRVV in
the United States.
-----------------------------------------------
Costs
Category........................................................ Most Likely Lower bound Upper bound
estimate
-----------------------------------------------
Annualized monetized costs to importers of dogs from high- $20,525,815 $4,050,735 $83,458,642
risk countries.............................................
Annual monetized costs to airlines.......................... 673,604 262,817 2,000,407
Annualized monetized costs to DHS/CBP....................... 0 0 0
Annual monetized costs to CDC............................... 853,956 320,538 2,270,323
-----------------------------------------------
Total annualized monetized costs........................ 22,053,375 4,634,090 87,729,371
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Although the one-year costs are presented in the table, the expected costs and benefits of the extension will
depend on the duration in which the extension is in effect. If the suspension ends on January 31, 2023
(approximately 0.64 years), the estimated total costs of the extension would be pro-rated to about $14 million
(range: $3.0 to $57 million). The expected benefits would be similarly pro-rated to $740,000 (range: $300,000
to $1.9 million).
The primary public health benefit of the temporary suspension is
the reduced risk that a dog with CRVV will be imported from a high-risk
country into the United States. Based on experience with previous
importations, CDC estimated the cost per imported dog with CRVV to be
$323,742 (range: $220,897 to $521,828).\50,51\ This cost estimate
includes health department staff time for the public health response,
payments for post-exposure prophylaxis
[[Page 33170]]
for exposed persons,\52,53\ and the costs associated with quarantining
or euthanizing exposed animals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\50\ Raybern, C., Zaldivar, A., Tubach, S., Ahmed, F., Moore,
S., Kintner, C. Garrison, I. (2020) Rabies in a dog imported from
Egypt-Kansas, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(38),
1374-1377. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf">https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf</a>.
\51\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
\52\ Raybern, C., Zaldivar, A., Tubach, S., Ahmed, F., Moore,
S., Kintner, C. Garrison, I. (2020) Rabies in a dog imported from
Egypt-Kansas, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(38),
1374-1377. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf">https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf</a>.
\53\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Rabies
Postexposure Prophylaxis. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html</a>.
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The most likely estimates of the net cost ($21 million) and the
most likely estimate of the potential benefits of averting the
importation of a dog with CRVV from a high-risk country ($324,000) can
be used to calculate how many dogs with CRVV would need to be imported
under the baseline for the benefits to equal costs. The net cost ($21
million) divided by the cost per importation ($324,000) suggests that
at least 65 dogs with CRVV would need to be imported under the baseline
for benefits to exceed costs. This would require an increase in the
number of dogs imported into the United States while infected with
CRVV, which could occur because of failures of rabies control programs
in multiple high-risk countries.
The above estimate of the cost of an importation of a dog with CRVV
does not account for the worst-case outcomes, which include (1)
transmission of rabies to a person who dies from the disease or (2)
ongoing transmission to other domestic and wildlife species in the
United States. While the risk of re-establishing CRVV into the United
States is low, it would result in costly efforts over several years to
re-eliminate the virus.
The cost of re-introduction could be especially high if CRVV
spreads to other species of U.S. wildlife. Both worst-case outcomes may
be more likely to occur during the COVID-19 pandemic because public
health resources in countries where CRVV is endemic are likely to have
been diverted to COVID-19 response activities and vaccination programs.
These countries would already have limited resources available to
mitigate CRVV and the prevalence of CRVV in dogs may increase relative
to the pre-COVID-19 period in those countries.
Human deaths from rabies continue to occur in the United States
after exposures to wild animals. However, no U.S. resident has died
after exposure to an imported dog with CRVV in at least 20 years. CDC
uses the value of statistical life (VSL) to assign a value to
interventions that can result in mortality risk reductions. For 2020,
the estimated VSL is $11.6 million, with a range of $5.5 to $17.7
million.\54\ CDC is unable to estimate the potential magnitude of the
mortality risk reduction associated with the temporary suspension. If
three deaths were averted because of the suspension extension, the
potential benefits would exceed costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\54\ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2016).
Guidelines for Regulatory Impact Analysis. Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. Retrieved from <a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/pdf/242926/HHS_RIAGuidance.pdf">https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/pdf/242926/HHS_RIAGuidance.pdf</a>.
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Re-establishment of CRVV into the United States would also result
in costly efforts over several years to re-eliminate the virus. A
previous campaign to eliminate domestic dog-coyote rabies virus variant
jointly with gray fox (Texas fox) rabies virus variant in Texas over
the period from 1995 through 2003 cost $34 million,\55,56\ or $48
million, in 2020 U.S. dollars. The costs to contain any reintroduction
would depend on the time period before the reintroduction was realized,
the wildlife species in which CRVV was transmitted, and the geographic
area over which reintroduction occurs. The above estimate is limited to
the cost of rabies vaccination programs for targeted wildlife and does
not include the costs to administer post-exposure prophylaxis to any
persons exposed after the reintroduction has been identified.
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\55\ Thomas, S., Wilson, P., Moore, G., Oertli, E., Hicks, B.,
Rohde, R., Johnston, D. (2005). Evaluation of oral rabies
vaccination programs for control of rabies epizootics in coyotes and
gray foxes: 1995-2003. Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine
Association, 227(5),785-92. doi: 10.2460/javma.2005.227.785.
\56\ Sterner, R., Meltzer, M., Shwiff, S., Slate, D. (2009).
Tactics and Economics of Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination, Canada
and the United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 15(8), 1176-
1184. doi: 10.3201/eid1508.081061.
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Relative to the previously published Federal Register notice
announcing the temporary suspension,\57\ this version allows more dogs
to be imported. If importers are willing to absorb the additional costs
for pre-arrival titers and for the other requirements to obtain a CDC
permit or to pay for the post-arrival costs for veterinary examination
and revaccination at a CDC-approved facility (in lieu of obtaining a
CDC permit), there may not be a large reduction in the number of
imported dogs. In the previous analysis, CDC estimated that only about
15,174 dogs would be imported over one year with the suspension in
effect. With this suspension extension, CDC estimated that 54,626 dogs
may be imported over a one-year period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\57\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84, 724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
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A significant source of uncertainty in the analysis for the
previous suspension was due to assigning a value to the reduction in
the number of imported dogs. CDC lacked data to estimate this value,
which was likely to vary considerably depending on the relationships
between importers and imported dogs. CDC assumed a marginal cost of
$100 per dog.
The estimated annual costs for this extension of the suspension
($21 million) have increased relative to the annual estimate for the
previous suspension ($12 million) because CDC assumed that a most non-
U.S.-vaccinated dogs (80 percent) would be imported with the provisions
of this suspension extension in place. In general, the original
requirements to import dogs from high-risk countries in the temporary
suspension were stricter than what is proposed in this notice
announcing the extension. Specifically, dogs with U.S. RVCs will be
allowed to be imported without permits. This change will greatly
increase the number of dogs eligible to enter the United States without
a CDC permit or the need for post-arrival follow-up at a CDC-approved
facility. In addition, the original Federal Register notice indicated
that all dogs would have to arrive ports of entry with a live animal
care facility with a CBP-issued FIRMS code (currently only available at
four airports). However, this requirement was relaxed to allow dogs
from high-risk countries to arrive at the 18 airports with CDC
quarantine stations if the importer has a CDC permit. The additional
costs result primarily from the increased number of dogs imported with
non-U.S. RVCs, about half of which were assumed to require post-arrival
follow-up at a CDC-approved facility and a smaller fraction would
require a 28-day quarantine period.
The expected benefits to CBP associated with a reduction in the
number of dog imports and the time spent on screening dogs with U.S.
RVCs are reduced relative to the previous analysis for the 2021
suspension. This is because CDC assumed more dogs would be imported
into the United States during the extension and because CDC
[[Page 33171]]
assumed it would require more CBP time per dog to review U.S. RVCs and
for dogs transported to a CDC-approved facility than to review
information in CDC Dog Import Permits. The estimated benefits to CBP
are reduced by about 76 percent. There is also an increased risk that a
dog infected with CRVV may be imported because of the increase in the
number of dog imports and because CDC would not review documentation
for dogs with U.S. RVCs prior to arrival.
Assumptions Used to Estimate Costs and Benefits
CDC estimated costs and benefits to importers, CDC, CBP, and
airlines under the baseline and with the extension in place. All cost
estimates were converted to 2020 U.S. dollars. The costs to importers
with the extension were calculated using the following assumptions:
<bullet> The opportunity costs for importer time were estimated at
$37.09 (range: $27.07 to $47.10) per hour based on the average U.S.
wage rate and a Department of Transportation estimate specific to
international travelers.<SUP>58 59</SUP>
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\58\ Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020). May 2020 National
Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: United States. Retrieved
from <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm</a>.
\59\ U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Transportation
Policy (2016). The Value of Travel Time Savings: Departmental
Guidance for Conducting Economic Evaluations Revision 2 (2016
Update), ``Table 4 (Revision 2--2016 Update): Recommended Hourly
Values of Travel Time Savings.'' Retrieved from <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/2016%20Revised%20Value%20of%20Travel%20Time%20Guidance.pdf">https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/2016%20Revised%20Value%20of%20Travel%20Time%20Guidance.pdf</a>.
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<bullet> Importers seeking advance written permission (CDC Dog
Import Permits) for 12,139 (range: 3,934 to 35,145) dogs.
[cir] An assumption of 1 hour (range 0.5 to 2 hours) to submit
advance written approval for a CDC Dog Import Permit and fulfill the
informational and testing requirements for a permit.
[cir] Estimated costs of $80 per dog (range: $60 to $100) for a
rabies titer test at an approved rabies serology
laboratory.<SUP>60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70</SUP>
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\60\ Kansas State University (2021). RFFIT test cost. Retrieved
from <a href="https://vetview2.vet.k-state.edu/LabPortal/catalog/list?CatalogSearch=RFF">https://vetview2.vet.k-state.edu/LabPortal/catalog/list?CatalogSearch=RFF</a>. Accessed November 2021.
\61\ Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (2021).
FAVN test cost. Retrieved from <a href="https://vetview2.vet.k-state.edu/LabPortal/catalog/list?CatalogSearch=favn&lab=§ion=">https://vetview2.vet.k-state.edu/LabPortal/catalog/list?CatalogSearch=favn&lab=§ion=</a>.
\62\ Auburn University Bacteriology and Mycology Lab (2021)
RFFIT test cost, Retrieved from <a href="https://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/academic-departments/dept-of-pathobiology/diagnostic-services/serology-virology/">https://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/academic-departments/dept-of-pathobiology/diagnostic-services/serology-virology/</a>. Accessed November 2021.
\63\ Auburn University Bacteriology and Mycology Lab (2021) FAVN
test cost, Retrieved from <a href="https://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/academic-departments/dept-of-pathobiology/diagnostic-services/serology-virology/">https://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/academic-departments/dept-of-pathobiology/diagnostic-services/serology-virology/</a>. Accessed November 2021.
\64\ Instituto de Salud Publica de Chile, Laboratorio de Rabia
(2021). RFFIT test cost. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.ispch.cl/biomedico/enfermedades-transmisibles/virus/rabia/">https://www.ispch.cl/biomedico/enfermedades-transmisibles/virus/rabia/</a>.
\65\ Pasteur Institute of Cambodia (2021). FAVN test cost.
Retrieved from <a href="https://www.pasteur-kh.org/rabies-prevention-centers/rabies-serology-for-pets/">https://www.pasteur-kh.org/rabies-prevention-centers/rabies-serology-for-pets/</a>.
\66\ Sciensano (2021) RFFIT test cost, Retrieved from <a href="https://www.sciensano.be/en">https://www.sciensano.be/en</a>. Accessed November 2021.
\67\ INOVALYS Le Mans (2021) FAVN test cost, Retrieved from
<a href="https://analyses.inovalys.fr/en/rage-rabies/21-je-souhaite-verifier-que-mon-animal-est-protege-contre-la-rage.html">https://analyses.inovalys.fr/en/rage-rabies/21-je-souhaite-verifier-que-mon-animal-est-protege-contre-la-rage.html</a>. Accessed November
2021.
\68\ Australian Animal Health Laboratory (2021). FAVN test cost.
Retrieved from <a href="https://aahllabservices.csiro.au/info/companion_and_equine_testing.aspx">https://aahllabservices.csiro.au/info/companion_and_equine_testing.aspx</a>.
\69\ <a href="http://Xe.com">Xe.com</a> (2021) Xe Currency Converter. Retrieved from.
\70\ Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) CPI inflation calculator.
<a href="https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm">https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm</a>. Accessed Feb 5,
2022.
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[cir] Assumed cost of $150 per dog shipment (range: $100 to $200)
for a veterinarian to draw blood samples and ship them to an approved
rabies serology laboratory.<SUP>71 72 73</SUP>
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\71\ Pieracci, E. (2021). Personal communication, December 2,
2021.
\72\ Fedex (2021). Cold Shipping Solutions. Retrieved on <a href="https://orderboxesnow.com/">https://orderboxesnow.com/</a>.
\73\ Fedex (2021). Packaging UN 3373 Shipments. Retrieved from
https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/us-united-states/services/
UN3373_fxcom.pdf#:~:text=If%20you%20use%20any%20of%20the%20following%
20clinical,Large%20Cold%20Box%20%282%E2%80%938%C2%B0%29%20Extended%20
Duration%20%2896%20Hours%29.
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[cir] Estimated cost of $35 (range: $20 to $50) to implant a
microchip.<SUP>74 75 76 77 78 79 80 </SUP>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\74\ Spend on Pet (2021). How Much Does it Cost to Microchip a
Dog? Retrieved from <a href="https://spendonpet.com/cost-to-microchip-a-dog/">https://spendonpet.com/cost-to-microchip-a-dog/</a>.
\75\ Hanson, M. (2022). Cost of Microchipping a Pet. <a href="http://Spots.com">Spots.com</a>.
Retrieve.
\76\ Invest Foresight (019) Pet microchipping to be compulsory
in Russia. Retrieved from <a href="https://investforesight.com/pet-microchipping-to-be-compulsory-in-russia/">https://investforesight.com/pet-microchipping-to-be-compulsory-in-russia/</a>.
\77\ Xia, H. (2021) Turkey's dog owners rush to microchip pets
after approval of new animal rights law. XinhuaNet. Retrieved from
<a href="http://www.news.cn/english/2021-11/16/c_1310314878.htm">http://www.news.cn/english/2021-11/16/c_1310314878.htm</a>.
\78\ K. (2012). Fit a microchip, identify your lost pet pooch.
DNA India. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report-fit-a-microchip-identify-your-lost-pet-pooch-1690440">https://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report-fit-a-microchip-identify-your-lost-pet-pooch-1690440</a>.
\79\ Internal Revenue Service (2022). Yearly Average Currency
Exchange Rates. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/yearly-average-currency-exchange-rates">https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/yearly-average-currency-exchange-rates</a>.
\80\ World Bank (2022). Consumer price index (2010 = 100).
Retrieved from <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL?end=2020&start=1960">https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL?end=2020&start=1960</a>.
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[ssquf] Assumed that 10 percent of imported dogs would receive a
microchip solely due to the requirements included in the temporary
suspension.\81\
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\81\ Pieracci, E. (2021). Personal communication, December 2,
2021.
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[cir] An assumption that 50 percent (range: 35 to 60 percent) of
importers will already have a valid rabies vaccination certificate
issued by a U.S.-licensed veterinarian and will not need permits or
testing from an approved rabies serology laboratory.
[cir] An assumption that there would be a 20 percent reduction in
the number of imported dogs with non-U.S. RVCs due to the additional
cost of obtaining a CDC permit or for post-arrival follow-up by a
veterinarian at a CDC-approved facility.
[cir] An assumption that 40 percent (range: 30 to 45 percent) of
non-U.S. vaccinated dogs would arrive with a CDC permit.
[ssquf] An assumption that 39 percent (range: 29 to 44 percent) of
non-U.S. vaccinated dogs would arrive without a CDC permit but would
receive a serologic test for rabies immunity prior to arrival. These
dogs would require transportation to a CDC-approved facility,
revaccination, and a veterinary exam at an estimated cost of $500 per
dog (range: $300 to $600). It was also estimated to require about 17
minutes of importer time (range: 14 to 20 minutes) to make a
reservation with the facility.
[ssquf] In addition, there may be additional delays for importers
to wait for their dogs to be seen by a veterinarian at a CDC-approved
animal facility. However, CDC was unable to predict how likely this
would be to occur.
[cir] An assumption that 0.8 percent (range: 0.6 to 0.9 percent) of
non-U.S. vaccinated dogs would arrive without a CDC permit or serologic
test result and would require quarantine.
[ssquf] These dogs would require transportation to a CDC-approved
facility, revaccination, a veterinary exam, and would need to be
quarantined for 28 days at an estimated cost of $4,700 per dog (range:
$3,100 to $5,500). It was also estimated to require about 51 minutes of
importer time (range: 41 to 61 minutes) to make a reservation with the
facility and to make arrangements during the quarantine.
[cir] An assumption that 35 percent of importers of dogs from high-
risk countries would need to re-route travel to a port of entry with a
CDC quarantine station, which would incur an increased ticket cost of
$200 and 4 additional hours of travel time.
<bullet> Importers who are unable to import a dog from a high-risk
country because of the temporary suspension (6,070, range: 5,425 to
7,810 dogs) would incur an assumed cost of $100 (range: $50 to $150)
per dog because owners would be unable to bring their dog(s) to a
country at high risk for CRVV or if importers incurred increased costs
associated with substitution of imported dog(s) from CRVV-free or low-
risk countries.
[[Page 33172]]
The costs for CDC were estimated based on:
<bullet> An assumed staff time cost of 20 minutes (range: 15 to 30
minutes) per permit issued by a GS-13, step 5 reviewer.
<bullet> Oversight of the permit process by two GS-13, step 5
veterinarians to support communications, policy, and decision-making
during the suspension.
<bullet> CDC staffing costs are estimated using the GS pay scale
for the Atlanta area and multiplying by two to account for non-wage
benefits and overhead.
CBP has reported the fully loaded wage rate for CBP officers at the
GS-12, step 3 average wage level ($57.85 in 2020 USD) as part of their
analysis of the costs associated with reviewing import information for
formal entry.\82\ CDC assumed that this fully loaded wage rate included
non-wage benefits but did not include agency overhead. In the absence
of other information, CDC assumed that overhead may add another 33
percent to the average hourly cost for CBP officer time. This would
result in a total cost to CBP of $76.94 per hour for CBP staff engaged
in screening dogs at ports of entry.
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\82\ U.S. Customs and Border Protection (2021). Supporting
Statement: Application to Use Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)
1651-0105. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewDocument?ref_nbr=202106-1651-002">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewDocument?ref_nbr=202106-1651-002</a>.
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CDC assumed that airlines would incur additional costs for this
temporary suspension associated with the time required to review
documentation for dogs imported from high-risk countries. This would
require 10 minutes (range: 7 to 15) of airline staff time. CDC assumed
that this additional time would be spent by aircraft cargo handling
supervisors whose average hourly wage was reported to be $28.66 on
average.\83\ To account for non-wage benefits and overhead, CDC
multiplied this wage rate by 2.\84\ There may be some reduction in
cargo fees revenue associated with the reduction in dogs imported from
countries at high risk for CRVV (range: 5,425 to 7,810 dogs), which was
assumed to result in lost revenue of $25 per dog transported since CDC
does not have any data on the profit to airlines for transporting dogs.
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\83\ Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020). May 2020 National
Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Job category 53-1041.
Retrieved from <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm</a>.
\84\ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2016).
Guidelines for Regulatory Impact Analysis. Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. Retrieved from <a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/pdf/242926/HHS_RIAGuidance.pdf">https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/pdf/242926/HHS_RIAGuidance.pdf</a>.
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The expected annual benefits (averted costs) were estimated for
importers, CDC, CBP, and airlines based on the reduced numbers of dogs
delayed entry and the reduced time spent by CBP officers to screen dogs
from high-risk countries.
The estimated benefits (averted costs) for importers were estimated
based on:
<bullet> An estimated reduction in time spent by CBP to review
documentation for dogs from high-risk countries arriving with CDC
permits (i.e., dogs that were vaccinated outside the United States)
assuming an estimate of 17 minutes (range: 13.6 to 20.4 minutes) per
dog to review documentation under the baseline \85\ to five minutes
(range: 3 to 8 minutes) per dog to review permits during the
suspension.
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\85\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84, 724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
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<bullet> An estimated two hours per dog denied entry (estimated at
450 fewer dogs denied entry, range: 255 to 750) with the suspension
relative to baseline.
<bullet> CDC assumed that 60 percent of dogs denied entry would be
re-imported to the United States at a round-trip cost of $1,200 per dog
to the importer.\86\
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\86\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84, 724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
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<bullet> CDC assumed that 40 percent of dogs denied entry would be
abandoned by importers at a cost of $600 per dog to the importer.
The estimated benefits (averted costs) to CDC were estimated based
on:
<bullet> An estimated four hours of CDC staff time per dog denied
entry at an average GS-level 13, step 5 at CDC Headquarters and an
average of 30 minutes of CDC quarantine station staff time per dog
denied entry at an average GS-level 11, step 5. The actual mix of staff
at CDC Headquarters who need to support denials of entry would vary
from GS-11 through Senior Executive Staff and varies depending on time
spent on appeals and finding shelter for abandoned dogs.
The estimated benefits (averted costs) to CBP were estimated based
on:
<bullet> An estimated reduction in the number of dogs imported from
high-risk countries due to the temporary suspension: 6,070 (range:
5,245 to 7,810) relative to baseline.
<bullet> Under the baseline, CDC estimated that each dog imported
from a high-risk country requires 17 minutes (range: 13.6 to 20.4
minutes) of CBP officer time to review documents.\87\
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\87\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
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<bullet> With the temporary suspension in place, CDC estimates that
the time required to review CDC-issued permits would decrease from the
above to five minutes (range: 3 to 8 minutes) per dog for the estimated
12,139 (range: 3,934 to 35,145) dogs arriving with permits. The amount
of time required for dogs with US RVCs or for dogs transported to a
CDC-approved facility would be unchanged.
<bullet> An estimated reduction in the number of dogs denied entry
because of the temporary suspension: (estimated at 450 fewer dogs
denied entry, range: 255 to 750).
<bullet> An estimate of 71 (range: 47 to 95) minutes of CBP staff
time required per dog denied entry (GS-12, step 5).\88\
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\88\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
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The estimated benefits (averted costs) for airlines were estimated
based on:
<bullet> The reduction in the estimated numbers of dogs denied
entry and abandoned by importers (200 under the baseline vs. 20 with
the suspension of entry).
<bullet> An assumed cost of $600 per dog for airlines to fly
abandoned dogs back to their countries of origin.\89\
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\89\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
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The costs associated with an importation of a dog with CRVV include
health department staff time for the public health response, payments
for post-exposure prophylaxis for exposed persons, and the costs
associated with quarantining or euthanizing exposed animals. CDC
estimated the response cost per imported dog with CRVV to be $323,742
(range: $220,897 to $521,828) based on the following assumptions:
<bullet> An estimate of 800 hours of health department staff time
per importation.\90\
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\90\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
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[[Page 33173]]
<bullet> The public health response time is split evenly among
veterinarians (code 29-1131, $52.09 per hour), epidemiologists (19-
1041, $40.20 per hour), registered nurses (29-1141, $38.47 per hour),
licensed practical nurses (29-2061, $24.08 per hour), and office and
administrative assistants (43-0000, $20.38 per hour).\91,92\ These wage
estimates are multiplied by two to account for non-wage benefits and
overhead.
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\91\ Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020). May 2020 National
Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: United States. Retrieved
from <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm</a>.
\92\ Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020). May 2020 National
Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: United States. Retrieved
from <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm</a>.
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<bullet> An average of 25 (range: 16 to 44) individuals will
require post-exposure prophylaxis because of exposure to the dog with
CRVV.<SUP>93 94</SUP>
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\93\ Raybern, C., Zaldivar, A., Tubach, S., Ahmed, F., Moore,
S., Kintner, C., Garrison, I. (2020) Rabies in a dog imported from
Egypt-Kansas, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(38),
1374-1377. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf">https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf</a>.
\94\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
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<bullet> The average cost of post-exposure prophylaxis was
estimated to be $9,524 per person.\95\
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\95\ Raybern, C., Zaldivar, A., Tubach, S., Ahmed, F., Moore,
S., Kintner, C., Garrison, I. (2020) Rabies in a dog imported from
Egypt-Kansas, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(38),
1374-1377. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf">https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6938a5-H.pdf</a>.
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<bullet> An estimated 29.6 animals would need to be quarantined or
euthanized due to exposure to the dog with CRVV.
<bullet> Public health follow-up of each exposed animal would incur
economic costs of $1,000 for quarantine or euthanasia.\96\
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\96\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Guidance
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to
the Importation of Dogs Into the United States. Federal Register,
Vol. 84,724-730. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs</a>.
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[FR Doc. 2022-11752 Filed 5-26-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 1, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.