Import Risk Analysis - Biosecurity New Zealand

Establishment of the disease could result in rare cases of disease in humans.
Dog owners, veterinary and laboratory personnel would be occupationally exposed to
infection, particularly when whelping infected dogs.
Effects on the environment would be negligible since there are no wild dog populations.
Since B. canis could establish and result in reproductive disease in dogs and rare human
infections the consequences are assessed to be non-negligible.
8.2.4. Risk estimation
The likelihood of introduction is non-negligible for dogs and dogs’ semen from countries
where B. canis is present. The likelihood of exposure is non-negligible and the consequences
are considered non-negligible should establishment occur.
As a result the risk estimate for B. canis is non-negligible and it is classified as a hazard in the
commodity. Therefore risk management measures can be justified.
Risk management measures are not justified for cats.
8.3. RISK MANAGEMENT
8.3.1. Options
The Code makes no recommendations that would prevent B. canis being introduced into an
importing country with dogs or dogs’ semen.
8.3.1.1. Dogs
Quarantine is not an option since infection is generally subclinical and chronic. No vaccine is
available and antibiotic therapy is often ineffective because of the persistent intracellular
location of B. canis infection.
Diagnostic testing to identify carrier dogs is the only feasible option. Serological testing is the
most frequently used diagnostic method (Greene & Carmichael 2006). There are at least
seven serological tests that may be employed to detect antibodies to B. canis. Each has its
advantages and disadvantages dependent on sensitivity, specificity and how early antibodies
can be detected post-infection. Haemoculture and detection of bacterial DNA using PCR are
the other diagnostic testing options that may be considered, either alone or in various
combinations with serological testing.
The following testing options presented in ascending order of stringency are available for the
effective management of B. canis in the commodity.
Option 1.
Within the 7 days prior to shipment, dogs could be serologically tested. The rapid slide
agglutination test is highly sensitive but lacks specificity since reactions to other infecting
bacterial organisms such as Pseudomonas may occur. It could be used as a screening test. A
positive result could be followed by either a tube agglutination test or agar gel
immunodiffusion test. Any titre of 1:50 or greater in the tube agglutination test could be
22 • Import risk analysis: Cats, dogs and canine semen MAF Biosecurity New Zealand