Thread by @HelenBranswell

1. Earlier this week @CDCgov served notice it is suspending importation of dogs from countries with a high canine #rabies risk.
An event happened this week that is a stark illustration of why CDC is taking that step.
A thread.

https://twitter.com/HelenBranswell/status/1405160606387347460

2. The day @CDCgov's notice appeared in the Federal Register, a Pennsylvania lab reported that a dog imported to the US from Azerbaijan on June 10 tested positive for #rabies. This is exactly what the new policy is trying to prevent.

3. The dog was part of a shipment of 33 dogs & 1 cat. Those animals will have to be found & quarantined for months. Animals that have been in contact with them may need to be revaxxed against #rabies. This is a TON of work. The animals were distributed across 8 states.

4. So far 12 people have been identified as having had contact with the rabid dog. That number could well climb, especially if other animals in the shipment were infected. Most if not all of those people will likely need post-exposure #rabies shots.

5. Investigating this #rabies importation is going to be an enormous job for multiple public health departments. @CDCgov estimates the earlier importations cost between a quarter- & a half-million dollars. This event involves the most animals, ergo it's likely going to be costly.