Public Health Implications of Changing Rodent Importation Patterns - United States, 1999-2013.

ABSTRACT: The United States imports a large volume of live wild and domestic animal species; these animals pose a demonstrated risk for introduction of zoonotic diseases. Rodents are imported for multiple purposes, including scientific research, zoo exhibits and the pet trade. Current U.S. public health regulatory restrictions specific to rodent importation pertain only to those of African origin. To understand the impacts of these regulations and the potential public health risks of international rodent trade to the United States, we evaluated live rodent import records during 1999-2013 by shipment volume and geographic origin, source (e.g. wild-caught versus captive- or commercially bred), intended purpose and rodent taxonomy. Live rodent imports increased from 2737 animals during 1999 to 173 761

SUBMITTER: Lankau EW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4744145 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature