FWD: Veterinary Services Department freezes import of prairie dogs

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Thursday, June 12, 2003

Veterinary Services Department freezes import of prairie dogs

BY MUSTAFA KAMAL BASRI

 

PENANG: The Veterinary Services Department has temporarily stopped issuing

permits for the import of prairie dogs following the outbreak of monkeypox in

the United States.

 

Department public relations officer Dr Rosini Alias said yesterday that the

temporary freeze was with immediate effect, until further notice.

 

She said the department had issued permits for the import of 140 prairie dogs

between 1999 and 2002, all through the airport in Penang.

 

She said 50 prairie dogs were brought into the country through the airport in

1999, 30 in 2001 and 60 (2002).

 

& #147;No permits were issued in 2000 and this year, & #148; she said.

 

Dr Rosini was commenting on a report that medical authorities in the US had

detected an outbreak of monkeypox, apparently spread from pet prairie dogs to

people.

 

Monkeypox in humans is not usually fatal, but causes rashes, fever and chills.

 

Several pet shop owners, when met yesterday, said they did not have any stock

of the pets at their shops.

 

Victor Cheng, director of Toby Pet Supplies Sdn Bhd at Jalan Air Itam, said his

shop had sold prairie dogs several years ago.

 

& #147;My supplier in Kuala Lumpur told me that the pets which are mostly

imported from Holland are out of stock, & #148; he said.

 

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