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Written question asked by Geoffrey Cox (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 January 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 January 2023. It was answered by Mark Spencer (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 January 2023 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dogs: Brucellosis

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the (a) prevalence of Brucella Canis and (b) risk it presents to humans in the UK; and what steps including import controls she is taking to prevent the spread of that disease.

Answer

Brucella canis is classed as a reportable disease under the Zoonoses Order and in 2022, the first full reporting year, 54 cases were reported.


The Human Animal Infections & Risk Surveillance group (HAIRS), chaired by Defra, published a risk statement in February 2021 which concluded that the evidence available at that time did not allow an in-depth assessment of the risk to the general public. This statement is now under review in light of new data available.


Working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), we will continue to gather information on the disease risk posed by B.Canis and will consider any further actions including import controls as appropriate.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
120959
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Dogs Disease control Brucellosis
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk