Rabies

Rabies continues to be present in wild animals in some member countries of the European Union and in neighbouring non-member countries. In areas where the disease is widespread in wildlife, the infection can occasionally be transmitted to domestic animals, and even to pets. For this reason the EU has maintained a high level of vigilance and adopted measures aimed at preventing the transmission of the disease.

In Europe the control of rabies in animals is based on national and European legislation , whereas the movement of domestic animals (dogs, cats, ferrets etc.) is governed by Regulation 998/2003, which concerns the health policy conditions applicable to non-commercial movements of pets within the European Union, and from non-member countries into the Union.

Ever since 2001 , under the terms of Decision no. 2001/296/CE, which "authorizes particular laboratories to monitor the efficacy of anti-rabies vaccine in certain domestic carnivores", the Istituto G. Caporale has been one of the Italian Laboratory designated by the EU for carrying out the titration of antibodies in connection with the rabies virus, by means of: