cdc travel egypt malaria

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 123 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

the latest information on vaccinations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s Egypt guide

where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad .

Some prescribed and over-the-counter medicines may be controlled substances in Egypt. You may need permission from Egypt’s Ministry of Health before you arrive. If you do not have prior permission or the required documentation, the medication will not be allowed in and you may be prosecuted under Egyptian law.

If you’re travelling with prescription medication, carry a letter from your GP that specifies:

• your condition
• the quantity of medication you will be carrying
• that the medication is for your personal use only

For further information, contact the Egyptian Embassy in London.

Healthcare facilities in Egypt

FCDO has a list of English speaking doctors in Egypt .

Some hotel doctors have overcharged for treatment and medicines. Review your bill closely for excessive charges. Pharmacies outside hotels will often supply medication at lower prices.

Access to specialised treatment for psychiatric illness is limited and may not be available outside major cities.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

Travel Guide

• Things to Do
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Getting Around
• Visitor Information
• Regions in Brief
• Tips on Accommodations
• Tips on Dining
• Getting There
• Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism
• Escorted & Package Tours
• Health & Safety
• Internet Access
• Tips for Families
• Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers
• Tips for Senior Travelers
• Tips for Single Travelers
• Tips for Student Travelers
• Tips for Travelers with Disabilities
• Tips for Women Travelers
• Tips for Black Travelers
• Tips for Vegetarian Travelers
• Active Pursuits
• Suggested Itineraries

Health & Safety in Egypt

Staying Healthy

Public health standards are low in Egypt, with little government investment in programs to improve it. Eating in restaurants that do not regularly serve foreign clientele or drinking water that has not come from a well-sealed bottle is asking for a bout of traveler's diarrhea or worse (including cholera and hepatitis). Most problems are easily avoided by following a few simple rules:

General Availability of Healthcare

Contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) (tel. 716/754-4883 or, in Canada, 416/652-0137; www.iamat.org) for tips on travel and health concerns in the countries you're visiting, and for lists of local, English-speaking doctors. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (tel. 800/311-3435; www.cdc.gov) provides up-to-date information on health hazards by region or country and offers tips on food safety. Travel Health Online (www.tripprep.com), sponsored by a consortium of travel medicine practitioners, may also offer helpful advice on traveling abroad. You can find listings of reliable medical clinics overseas at the International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org).

Common Ailments

Tropical Illnesses -- There is a very limited risk of P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria in the oasis of Fayum during the summer months (June-Oct). It has been a decade since any indigenous case was reported, but you should still use a good insect repellant and a mosquito net at night if you are visiting the oasis during these months. Antimalarial medications are not recommended by the World Health Organization for tourists planning to visit Fayum.

Egypt's first confirmed case of the H5N1 strain of avian flu was back in March 2006. By July 2007, there had been 37 more cases and 15 fatalities. These outbreaks will occur periodically as long as Egypt's standards of public hygiene remain low and people and livestock intermix freely. Travelers should check the news and the websites of the World Health Organization (www.who.int/countries/egy/en) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationEgypt.aspx) for updates before traveling. Note that in the event of a serious outbreak, acquiring Western medical supplies in Egypt would be extremely difficult.

Dietary Red Flags -- Tap water in Egypt is not potable and should be avoided. Only drink bottled water from a sealed bottle, and if you have doubts about the contents, get another one. This is not usually a problem, as upmarket and tourist restaurants will automatically provide bottled water. In private homes, you may be offered glasses of tap water. Particularly outside a big city, in any kind of rural settings, these are best politely refused.

Fresh fruit juice from the street-side juice shops are a judgment call but generally best avoided. Sniff the air inside the shop and make your choice.

Green salads are best avoided as well, even in high-end hotels. Not only are they often washed in contaminated water, but they can contain bacteria because of agricultural practices. Also avoid fruit that you have not peeled yourself, and chicken and eggs that have not been thoroughly cooked.

Bugs, Bites & Other Wildlife Concerns -- There is rabies in Egypt and care should be exercised not only with wildlife, but semi-domestic animals such as cats and dogs.

The deserts of Egypt contain a variety of poisonous insects and snakes. Take care when hiking; wear closed-toe shoes, and don't go reaching into nooks and crannies. Turn over rocks with a stick and watch where you're putting your feet. Choose your guide with care, and make sure that he has received at least basic first-aid training and knows what to do in the event of emergencies.

Mosquitoes and a variety of other biting insects may not be life-threatening, but they can certainly spoil the fun. Five-star resorts spray heavily for insects and keep rooms pristine. If you are staying in midrange or budget-range accommodations, I recommend having some good bug repellant handy, as well as a can of insecticide. It's best to bring the repellant with you, but there are a variety of lethal sprays available on the local market, including Raid.

Respiratory Illnesses -- Air quality is a serious problem in Egypt -- in Cairo, in particular. Some government sources say that the situation has improved in recent years, but levels of lead and particulate in the capital still often exceed even relatively lax domestic standards and are frequently several times the amounts considered safe under international standards. Tourists with asthma or other respiratory problems should limit the amount of time they spend in Cairo.

Sun/Elements/Extreme Weather Exposure -- Heat stroke and excessive sun are both potential problems in Egypt, particularly during the summer months. You should be prepared with sunblock, a good sun hat, and a way to replace electrolytes lost to sweating, such as oral rehydration salts, which are available over the counter at almost any Egyptian pharmacy for around LE1 (18?/9p) a dose.

AIDS -- Figures differ on the number of HIV/AIDS cases in Egypt. UNAIDS estimated there to be about 5,300 people living with HIV in Egypt in 2006. It seems likely that the number of cases is underreported, however, given the social stigma associated with AIDS, the low awareness of preventive measures among IV-drug users and other high-risk groups, and the difficulty involved in obtaining anonymous testing. Condoms are readily available in pharmacies.

What to Do if You Get Sick Away From Home

We list the best private clinics and hospitals in Cairo in the "Fast Facts" section, but keep in mind that even here, service is well below Western standards.

At any hospital in Egypt, you will be expected to pay upfront and in cash for any treatment. Keep this in mind in the event of an emergency -- arriving at the clinic with your wallet is very important.

Medicare and Medicaid do not provide coverage for medical costs outside the U.S. Before leaving home, find out what medical services your health insurance covers. To protect yourself, consider buying medical travel insurance.

Very few health insurance plans pay for medical evacuation back to the U.S. (which can cost $10,000 and up). A number of companies offer medical evacuation services anywhere in the world. If you're ever hospitalized more than 150 miles from home, MedjetAssist (tel. 800/527-7478; www.medjetassistance.com) will pick you up and fly you to the hospital of your choice virtually anywhere in the world in a medically equipped and staffed aircraft 24 hours day, 7 days a week. Annual memberships are $225 individual, $350 family; you can also purchase short-term memberships.

U.K. nationals will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive free or reduced-cost health benefits during a visit to a European Economic Area (EEA) country (European Union countries, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) or Switzerland. The European Health Insurance Card replaces the E111 form, which is no longer valid. For advice, ask at your local post office or see www.dh.gov.uk/travellers.

If you suffer from a chronic illness, consult your doctor before your departure. Pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage, and carry them in their original containers with pharmacy labels -- otherwise they won't make it through airport security. Carry the generic name of prescription medicines in case a local pharmacist is unfamiliar with the brand name. Try to avoid buying prescription drugs in Egypt (even if they are dramatically cheaper than back home), as the quality control of drug production is not guaranteed.

Staying Safe -- One of the enormous advantages that Egypt offers visitors is that it is generally very safe when it comes to petty crime. Independent travelers and groups alike can wander at will, exploring deserted temples and crowded tourist sites without worrying about anything other than being overcharged for souvenirs and taxi rides. On the other hand, there is the potential for problems with home-grown terrorist attacks. It has been a number of years since there's been an incident in Upper Egypt, but the same is not true for the Sinai and Cairo. There were a series of shootings and bombings targeting the tourism industry in Cairo and on the Sinai Peninsula in 2005 and 2006. The government now overstates the problem in Cairo and Upper Egypt for political reasons, but it is quite possibly understating them in the medium to long term on the Sinai Peninsula. The politically and economically repressive conditions that gave rise to the 2005 and 2006 attacks have not been ameliorated, and the heavy-handed security response will probably prove counterproductive.

In terms of street crime and random violence, Egypt is a remarkably safe country. Although there is potential for violence, it takes a lot of provocation and occurs in areas and situations that tourists are unlikely to encounter.

Women in particular, however, will find themselves subject to a high level of verbal harassment in public areas. In more crowded areas, this will escalate to groping, and in less crowded areas to self-exposure.

For both men and women, personal safety is based on the usual rules. Keep away from street fights -- absent a professional civil police force, these can turn nasty quickly and tempers can run pretty hot in Egypt. It is highly unlikely for a foreigner to be consciously targeted, but collateral damage is always a possibility. Avoid badly lit, deserted places after dark. Most heavily touristed areas are fine at all times of day and night.

The threat to personal safety from political instability is low. Cairo has seen sporadic, usually low-key, demonstrations by various pro-democracy and reform groups in recent years, and these are best avoided. The government routinely deploys plainclothes operatives to harass and intimidate, and there is a very real risk to locals and foreigners alike of being assaulted by the police in the vicinity of these demonstrations. Women perceived as being involved in the demonstration are particularly at risk, as security forces have been known to sexually assault female participants as a way of discouraging further participation.

In any dealing with the police in Egypt, keep in mind that this is not the kind of coherent, professional organization that you expect in the West. Officer and management positions are assigned by social class and connection, and lower positions are not paid a living wage. Corruption is rife. If you find yourself on the wrong side of the law, do not hesitate to buy yourself out of trouble either directly or through the mediation of a lawyer. At its most basic, this will involve paying a few pounds to a traffic cop for parking your car in a no-parking zone (which is most of Cairo). For more serious problems, your focus will be getting out of the country (with the assistance of your embassy's consular section, if needed).

That said, law enforcement agencies will generally work hard to accommodate foreigners when they have a problem. Don't expect any actual police work in the event of a theft or accident, but they should be able to provide a friendly face, a glass of tea, and pro-forma services such as a police report for insurance purposes.

Drugs such as a hashish and cannabis are officially illegal, and penalties, at least in theory, are harsh. Signs at the airport warn of severe penalties for drug possession and trafficking in Egypt. In practice, the situation is a little murkier. Though it is generally only Egyptian nationals and non-tourist foreigners who get into serious trouble for drug offenses, any kind of involvement in illegalities can leave you open to blackmail and a host of other best-avoided entanglements.

The traffic is perhaps the greatest routine threat to personal safety in Egypt. Extreme care should be exercised in crossing the road and in driving. Highways are particularly dangerous, and unless you have high confidence in your driving ability, you should hire a driver from a reputable firm. Avoid driving outside the city at night.

Many governments maintain advisory pages online that provide useful, up-to-date information on everything from the potential for political instability to the latest outbreaks of avian flu. See "Travel Warnings" in the "Online Traveler's Toolbox" later in this chapter. Registration with your country's embassy in Cairo can also help consular officials warn you of problems and contact you in the event of a situation back home.

Dealing With Discrimination

Egypt remains, unfortunately, a society in which racism and sexism is both prevalent and acceptable.

Egyptians are particularly biased toward other Africans, whom they regard as inferior both socially and economically. African-American visitors, even holding their U.S. passport in their hands and speaking English, will probably find problems getting past security at some restaurants and hotels, and African-American women have reported higher-than-average levels of sexual harassment.

Asians, or people who look Asian, will find a different set of problems. Over the last 10 years, an increasing number of economic migrants from China have drawn the attention of Egyptian authorities. Generally the attitude of people in the street will tend more toward parochial curiosity than outright discrimination, but police will tend to be suspicious of independent travelers, and tourists may be subject to random document checks and searches.

There is also a degree of anti-Western feeling in Egypt, which has been substantially increased by the 2004 invasion of Iraq and subsequent "War on Terror." On the whole, however, individual Egyptians recognize the difference between government policies and the intentions of citizens, and it is unlikely that resentments will be visited on individual travelers.

Similarly, though there is a high degree of acceptance of anti-Semitism in Egypt, it is rare for it to be visited on individual Jewish people.

Clothing, not surprisingly, is a major factor in how you will find yourself being treated in Egypt. When possible, smart-casual clothes are best: dress pants and long-sleeved shirts for men, long skirts or loose pants and long sleeves for women. This, of course, isn't always practical while traveling, but men should avoid shorts and tank tops, and women will experience elevated levels of harassment in direct proportion to the amount of skin they bare.

This also applies, though to a lesser degree, in the big resort towns such as Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada. Resorts with private beaches have rigidly enforced rules regarding local access and staff who are accustomed to Western clothing habits, but the same only applies to a limited degree on the streets outside the resort walls. Here you will be under the assumption that Westerners are rich but morally lax. This will only be intensified by low-cut shirts, shorts, or tight pants.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

• All Regions
• Australia & South Pacific
• Caribbean & Atlantic
• Central & South America
• Middle East & Africa
• North America
• Washington, D.C.
• San Francisco
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Arts & Culture
• Beach & Water Sports
• Local Experiences
• Food & Drink
• Outdoor & Adventure
• National Parks
• Winter Sports
• Travelers with Disabilities
• Family & Kids
• All Slideshows
• Hotel Deals
• Car Rentals
• Flight Alerts
• Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
• Cruise News
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Car, Bus, Rail News
• Money & Fees
• Health, Insurance, Security
• Packing & Luggage
• -Arthur Frommer Online
• -Passportable
• Road Trip Guides
• Alaska Made Easy
• Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
• Best of the Caribbean
• Best of Mexico
• Cruise Inspiration
• Best Places to Go 2024

Malaria Information and Prophylaxis, by Country [I]

The information presented in this table is consistent 1 with the information in the CDC Health Information for International Travel (the “Yellow Book”).

1. Factors that affect local malaria transmission patterns can change rapidly and from year to year, such as local weather conditions, mosquito vector density, and prevalence of infection. Information in these tables is updated regularly. 2.  Refers to P. falciparum malaria unless otherwise noted. 3. Estimates of malaria species are based on best available data from multiple sources. Where proportions are not available, the primary species and less common species are identified. 4. Several medications are available for chemoprophylaxis . When deciding which drug to use, consider specific itinerary, length of trip, cost of drug, previous adverse reactions to antimalarials, drug allergies, and current medical history. All travelers should seek medical attention in the event of fever during or after return from travel to areas with malaria. 5. Primaquine and tafenoquine can cause hemolytic anemia in persons with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Before prescribing primaquine or tafenoquine, patients must be screened for G6PD deficiency using a quantitative test. 6. Mosquito avoidance includes applying topical mosquito repellant, sleeping under an insecticide treated bed net, and wearing protective clothing (e.g., long pants and socks, long sleeve shirt). For additional details on mosquito avoidance, see: https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/index.html 7. P. knowlesi is a malaria species with a simian host (macaque). Human cases have been reported from most countries in Southeast Asia and are associated with activities in forest or forest-fringe areas. This species of malaria has no known resistance to antimalarials.

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

Disclaimer: Early release articles are not considered as final versions. Any changes will be reflected in the online version in the month the article is officially released.

Volume 30, Number 7—July 2024

Research Letter

Plasmodium vivax infections among immigrants from china traveling to the united states.

Suggested citation for this article

Beginning in 2023, we observed increased Plasmodium vivax malaria cases at an institution in Los Angeles, California, USA. Most cases were among migrants from China who traveled to the United States through South and Central America. US clinicians should be aware of possible P. vivax malaria among immigrants from China.

Plasmodium vivax , the most widely geographically distributed species of the Plasmodium genus, causes malaria in humans and is transmitted through the bite of infectious Anopheles mosquitoes. P. vivax is the second most prevalent cause of malaria globally and constitutes a large portion of the annual malaria cases in the Western Hemisphere; ≈397,000 cases of P. vivax malaria were reported in the Americas in 2022 ( 1 ). Conversely, P. vivax malaria is relatively infrequently encountered at most institutions in the United States because most cases are travel-associated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 72% of all P. vivax cases in the United States in 2018 were imported from malaria-endemic countries ( 2 ). A central epidemiologic factor of P. vivax is its ability to establish a dormant liver stage that can later reactivate, leading to episodic parasitemia. This latent stage poses a potential risk for transmission to another human through a mosquito vector if appropriate treatment is not administered ( 3 ).

Since early 2023, Los Angeles General Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, has observed a concerning rise in P. vivax cases, specifically among immigrants from China entering the United States via the southern US border. We diagnosed 10 cases of P. vivax malaria, 9 of which were among immigrants from China who came to the United States by land via South and Central America. In contrast, we only saw 2 cases of P. vivax at our institution during 2016–2022, one patient in 2017 and another in 2018, neither of whom were of Asian descent. In addition, we saw 1 case of non­– P. vivax malaria during that timeframe. All cases were diagnosed by thick and thin blood smear microscopy and the BinaxNOW Malaria test (Abbott Laboratories, https://www.abbott.com ).

Whether any of the 9 immigrants from China traveled together is unknown because they sought care individually at our institution. They all met criteria for uncomplicated malaria and were treated with either hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, or atovaquone/proguanil, followed by antirelapse treatment with primaquine ( Table ). Upon further correspondence with nearby microbiology laboratory directors, similar findings of dramatic increases in P. vivax cases since 2023 have also been observed in at least 1 local hospital that serves as a catchment area in the San Gabriel Valley, California, with a majority Asian American population. All cases were acquired by travel, and we noted no evidence of local transmission.

Of note, the United States Border Patrol reported a 1,000% increase in the number of immigrants from China arriving at the southern border during 2023 compared with previous years ( 4 ). The immigrants are primarily following a well-traveled route that begins in Ecuador, a country that does not require visas for citizens of China. From there, they traverse the jungle terrain of Panama’s Darién Gap, proceeding into Central America and Mexico before arriving at the southern US border.

Hospitals serving newly arrived immigrants should be cognizant of this new emigration route from China via South and Central America and the associated risk of acquiring P. vivax malaria. All patients should be screened for malaria when they have compatible symptoms, and a detailed travel history should always be obtained. A vital detail to consider with travel history is that patients with prior P. vivax infection can relapse weeks, months, or years after initial diagnosis because the parasites can lay dormant in the liver as hypnozoites ( 5 ). Persons with diagnosed malaria should be assessed for severe symptoms, such as impaired consciousness, severe anemia, acute kidney injury, acute respiratory distress, or shock. For severe P. vivax malaria, patients typically are treated with intravenous artesunate. For uncomplicated P. vivax malaria, providers can prescribe chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, artemether/lumefantrine, or atovaquone/proguanil, depending on endemic country-specific resistance factors and institutional formulary supply. Primaquine or tafenoquine are used afterwards as antirelapse treatment. Full treatment recommendations can be found on the CDC website ( 6 ). In addition, the CDC malaria hotline provides for immediate assistance ( 7 ).

Of note, China was declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization in 2021, and no indigenous cases of malaria had been reported since 2016, suggesting that travel from China is not an epidemiologic risk factor itself ( 8 ). If feasible, persons embarking on travel via the South and Central America route should consider taking malaria prophylaxis.

In conclusion, clinical microbiology laboratories, particularly those in border states, should consider implementing rapid antigen testing for malaria to improve turnaround time for case detection but should be aware of the potential for false-negative results in patients with low parasitemia levels ( 9 ). Clinicians also should be aware of the possibility for an increase in P. vivax malaria cases among immigrants from China arriving via the southern US border.

Dr. Khamly is a first-year fellow at the University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center Infectious Diseases Program. Her primary research interest is in antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention.

• World Health Organization . World malaria report 2023. Geneva: The Organization; 2023 .
• Mace  KE , Lucchi  NW , Tan  KR . Malaria Surveillance - United States, 2018. MMWR Surveill Summ . 2022 ; 71 : 1 – 35 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar
• Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention . DPDx—laboratory identification of parasites of public health concern: malaria [ cited 2023 Dec 12 ]. https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/malaria/index.html
• Customs  US , Border Protection  FY . 20–FY23 nationwide encounters by state [ cited 2024 Apr 10 ]. https://www.cbp.gov/document/stats/nationwide-encounters
• Flannery  EL , Kangwanrangsan  N , Chuenchob  V , Roobsoong  W , Fishbaugher  M , Zhou  K , et al. Plasmodium vivax latent liver infection is characterized by persistent hypnozoites, hypnozoite-derived schizonts, and time-dependent efficacy of primaquine. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev . 2022 ; 26 : 427 – 40 . DOI PubMed Google Scholar
• Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention . Malaria treatment (United States) [ cited 2024 Apr 10 ]. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/treatment.html
• Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention . Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria: contact us [ cited 2024 Apr 10 ]. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/contact.html
• World Health Organization, Global Malaria Programme . Countries and territories certified malaria-free by WHO [ cited 2024 Apr 10 ]. https://www.who.int/teams/global-malaria-programme/elimination/countries-and-territories-certified-malaria-free-by-who
• Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention . DPDx—laboratory identification of parasites of public health concern: blood specimens, detection of parasite antigens [ cited 2024 Apr 25 ]. https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/diagnosticprocedures/blood/antigendetection.html
• Table . Characteristics and treatment regimens of patients with diagnosed Plasmodium vivax infections among immigrants from China traveling to the United States via Central and South America, Los Angeles, California, USA, January...

Suggested citation for this article : Khamly P, Kapadia N, Umali-Wilcox M, Butler-Wu SM, Davar K. Plasmodium vivax infections among immigrants from China traveling to the United States. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Jul [ date cited ]. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3007.240177

DOI: 10.3201/eid3007.240177

Original Publication Date: May 06, 2024

Table of Contents – Volume 30, Number 7—July 2024

Please use the form below to submit correspondence to the authors or contact them at the following address:

Paloma Khamly, Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles General Medical Center, 1100 N State St, Clinic Tower, A6E, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA

Comment submitted successfully, thank you for your feedback.

There was an unexpected error. Message not sent.

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

Metric Details

What is the altmetric attention score.

The Altmetric Attention Score for a research output provides an indicator of the amount of attention that it has received. The score is derived from an automated algorithm, and represents a weighted count of the amount of attention Altmetric picked up for a research output.

share this!

May 8, 2024

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

reputable news agency

Dogs brought to US must be microchipped, older than 6 months: CDC

by Ernie Mundell

Dogs brought into the United States from abroad must be compliant with new rules to help fight rabies in this country, according to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued Wednesday.

"Starting on August 1, 2024, all dogs entering the United States must: Appear healthy upon arrival; be at least six months of age [old enough for the rabies vaccine ]; be microchipped; and be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt," the agency said in a statement.

The microchip, implanted under the skin, would carry a code that would let inspectors know that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.

There's a key reason behind the tougher rules: "The rabies virus variant carried by dogs (dog rabies) was eliminated in the United States in 2007 and CDC wants to prevent the re-introduction of dog rabies into the United States," the agency explained.

Four dogs with rabies have been detected entering the U.S. from abroad since 2015.

The owners of any dog arriving from a foreign country—including those returning home to the U.S.—must show up-to-date vaccination against the disease, the CDC said.

Additional entry requirements (for example, blood testing from CDC-approved labs) may be applied, depending on whether or not the dog received rabies vaccination while in the U.S., and what countries the dog has been in during the past six months.

These rules apply to pets brought into the country by their U.S. owners as well as breeders and rescue organizations.

The updated CDC guidance follows from a pandemic-era order that suspended the importation of all dogs from more than 100 countries where rabies is still a problem.

"This suspension will expire when the updated regulation goes into effect on August 1, 2024," the CDC said.

The agency added that the new rules are more in keeping with the World Organization for Animal Health's guidance, aimed at slowing the spread of dog rabies between nations.

"Furthermore, it addresses recent challenges seen with international dog importations, such as fraudulent documentation and dogs housed in unsafe conditions if they didn't meet requirements for entry to the United States," the CDC said.

Given all these changes, the agency is urging people who plan any future travel with their dogs to "plan in advance" with the new regulations for re-entry in mind.

Angela Passman owns a Dallas company that helps people move their pets country-to-country. She said that some people do want to adopt an animal they encounter while traveling abroad, and the new rules aren't a huge departure from how importation was done in the past.

"It's more work for the pet owner, but the end result is a good thing," Passman told the Associated Press. She is also a board member for the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association.

Rabies is a viral disease, typically transmitted through biting, that ravages the nervous system and is often fatal in animals and humans. Once symptoms begin, rabies has no cure.

2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Explore further

Feedback to editors

New phononics materials may lead to smaller, more powerful wireless devices

14 hours ago

New 'forever chemical' cleanup strategy discovered

15 hours ago

TESS discovers a rocky planet that glows with molten lava as it's squeezed by its neighbors

Ultrasound experiment identifies new superconductor

16 hours ago

Quantum breakthrough sheds light on perplexing high-temperature superconductors

How climate change will affect malaria transmission

17 hours ago

Topological phonons: Where vibrations find their twist

Looking for life on Enceladus: What questions should we ask?

18 hours ago

Analysis of millions of posts shows that users seek out echo chambers on social media

NASA images help explain eating habits of massive black hole

Relevant physicsforums posts, who chooses official designations for individual dolphins, such as fb15, f153, f286.

23 hours ago

Is it usual for vaccine injection site to hurt again during infection?

The cass report (uk).

May 1, 2024

Is 5 milliamps at 240 volts dangerous?

Apr 29, 2024

Major Evolution in Action

Apr 22, 2024

If theres a 15% probability each month of getting a woman pregnant...

Apr 19, 2024

More from Biology and Medical

Related Stories

New quarantine scheme could reduce risk of rabies reintroduction in the EU following Russian invasion, study finds

Apr 26, 2024

Investigation starts in five states after imported dog develops rabies

Jun 22, 2021

Know the requirements for your pet's rabies vaccination

Aug 11, 2023

New Zealand reveals first-ever rabies death

Mar 30, 2023

Infected bats pose highest rabies risk in US: CDC

Jun 12, 2019

Rabies is a real and rising threat to people and pets

May 24, 2017

Recommended for you

Which is better for your dog, kibble or raw meat? Research yields surprising health results

May 6, 2024

Pet parrots prefer live video-calls over watching pre-recorded videos of other birds

May 2, 2024

This Texas veterinarian helped crack the mystery of bird flu in cows

Study dispels myth that purebred dogs are more prone to health problems

Apr 30, 2024

Missing link in species conservation: Pharmacists, chemists could turn tide on plant, animal extinction

Study reveals cancer vulnerabilities in popular dog breeds

Let us know if there is a problem with our content.

Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form . For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines ).

Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request

Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.

Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.

E-mail the story

Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form.

Newsletter sign up

Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties.

More information Privacy policy

Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience

We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account.

E-mail newsletter