[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32041-32049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12418]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Temporary Suspension of Dogs Entering the United States From 
High-Risk Rabies Countries

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within 
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces a temporary 
suspension in the importation of dogs from high-risk rabies-enzootic 
countries (hereinafter referred to as high-risk country or countries) 
into the United States. Due to the unprecedented global response to the 
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and limited availability 
of public health resources at the Federal, state, and local level, this 
action is necessary to protect the public health against the 
reintroduction of canine rabies virus variant (CRVV) into the United 
States and to ensure the welfare of dogs being imported into the U.S. 
This suspension, with limited exceptions, includes dogs imported from 
low-risk or CRVV-free countries if the dogs have been in any high-risk 
countries during the previous six months.

DATES: This notice is effective July 14, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding this notice 
contact: Ashley C. Altenburger, J.D., Division of Global Migration and 
Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton 
Road NE, MS-H16-4, Atlanta, GA 30329 or 404-498-1600.
    For information regarding HHS/CDC regulations for the importation 
of dogs, please contact: Dr. Emily Pieracci, D.V.M., Division of Global 
Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
1600 Clifton Road NE, MS-V-18-2, Atlanta, GA 30329 or 404-498-1600. 
Either Mrs. Altenburger or Dr. Pieracci may also be reached by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Authority

    Rabies, one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases, accounts for an 
estimated 59,000 human deaths globally each year \1\--which equates to 
one human death every 9 minutes. Canine rabies virus variant (CRVV) is 
responsible for 98% of these deaths.\2\ The rabies virus can infect any 
mammal, and once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost always 
fatal.\2\ In September 2007, at the Inaugural World Rabies Day 
Symposium, HHS/CDC declared the United States to be free of CRVV. 
However, this rabies virus variant is still a serious public health 
threat in the more than 120 countries where CRVV remains enzootic. 
Preventing the entry of animals infected with CRVV into the United 
States is a public health priority.
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    \1\ WHO Technical Report Series 1012, 2018; Page 6.
    \2\ Fooks AR, Banyard AC, Horton DL, Johnson N, McElhinney LM, 
Jackson AC. Current status of rabies and prospects for elimination. 
Lancet 2014;384:1389-99.
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    Under section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) (42 
U.S.C. 264), the Secretary of Health and Human Services may make and 
enforce such regulations as in the Secretary's judgment are necessary 
to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable 
diseases from foreign countries into the United States and from one 
State or possession into any other State or possession.\3\ Since at 
least 1956, Federal quarantine regulations (currently found at 42 CFR 
71.51) have controlled the entry of dogs into the United States. See 21 
FR 9870, Dec. 12, 1956. One of the principal goals of these regulations 
is to prevent the reintroduction and spread of CRVV into the United 
States. While the United States continues to have bat rabies lyssavirus 
(rabies viruses that are enzootic to bat populations) and multiple 
terrestrial variants of rabies circulating in wildlife species (e.g. 
fox, raccoon, skunk), it has been free of CRVV since 2007 and now 
focuses its regulatory efforts on preventing the reintroduction of this 
rabies variant.
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    \3\ Although the statute assigns authority to the Surgeon 
General, all statutory powers and functions of the Surgeon General 
were transferred to the Secretary of HHS in 1966, 31 FR 8855, 80 
Stat. 1610 (June 25, 1966), see also Public Law 96-88, 509(b), 
October 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695 (codified at 20 U.S.C. 3508(b)). The 
Secretary has retained these authorities despite the reestablishment 
of the Office of the Surgeon General in 1987.
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    Under 42 CFR 71.51, all dogs admitted into the United States must 
be accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate.\4\ This

[[Page 32042]]

requirement applies unless the dog's owner or importer submits 
satisfactory evidence that the dog is less than 6 months old and has 
only been in a CRVV-free or low-risk country, or has only been in a 
CRVV-free or low-risk country for the 6 months before arrival if it is 
older than 6 months.\5\ CDC maintains a current, publicly available 
list of countries with high risk of CRVV \6\ and provides guidance for 
dog entry requirements based on the dog's country of import.
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    \4\ https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/vaccine-certificate.html.
    \5\ CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-
Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the United 
States. Fed Register 2019;84:724-730. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs.
    \6\ https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/rabies-vaccine.html.
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    Additionally, under 42 CFR 71.51(e), CDC may exclude dogs coming 
into the United States from areas determined to have high rates of 
rabies. Under 42 CFR 71.63, CDC may also temporarily suspend the entry 
of animals, articles, or things from designated foreign countries and 
places into the United States when it determines there exists in a 
foreign country a communicable disease that threatens the public health 
of the United States and the entry of imports from that country 
increases the risk that the communicable disease may be introduced. 
When such a suspension is issued, CDC designates the period of time or 
conditions under which imports into the United States may be suspended. 
CDC bases this temporary suspension on these legal authorities.

II. Public Health Rationale

    The United States was declared CRVV-free in 2007. Importing dogs 
from high-risk CRVV countries involves a significant public health 
risk. CDC requires strict compliance with all its public health entry 
requirements. Although the U.S. Government does not track the total 
number of dogs imported each year, it is estimated that approximately 1 
million dogs are imported into the U.S. annually, of which 100,000 dogs 
are from countries at high- risk of CRVV.\7\ This estimate was based on 
information provided by airlines, the Department of Homeland Security's 
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff, and a study conducted at a 
U.S.-Mexico land border crossing.\8\
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    \7\ HHS/CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of 
``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the 
United States. (January 31, 2019) 84 FR 724: 724-730.
    \8\ McQuiston, J.H., et al., Importation of dogs into the United 
States: risks from rabies and other zoonotic diseases. Zoonoses 
Public Health, 2008. 55(8-10): p. 421-6.
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    CBP does record, by country, the number of dogs imported with 
formal entry under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code 0106199120 and 
HTS Description: Other live animals, other, dogs. The total number of 
dogs imported into the United States from all countries under this HTS 
category varied from 25,232 in 2018 to 58,540 in 2020. The number of 
dogs from high-risk countries under this HTS category averaged 16,390 
and varied from 9,966 to 24,031 over this 3-year period. The number of 
dogs reported under this HTS category does not include dogs imported as 
checked baggage, hand-carried in airplane cabins, or crossing at land 
borders without formal entry. Thus, the number underestimates the true 
number of dogs imported into the United States.
    The importation of just one dog infected with CRVV risks re-
introduction of the virus into the United States resulting in a 
potential public health risk with consequent monetary cost and 
potential loss of human and animal life.9 10 11 CRVV has 
been highly successful at adapting to new host species, particularly 
wildlife.\12\ One CRVV-infected dog could result in transmission to 
humans, domestic pets or wildlife. The importation in 2019 of a single 
dog with rabies cost more than $400,000 USD for the public health 
investigations and rabies port-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of exposed 
persons.13 14
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    \9\ Smith J, le Gall F, Stephenson S, et al. People, pathogens 
and our planet. The Economics of One Health 2012;2.
    \10\ Raybern, C et al. Rabies in a dog imported from Egypt-
Kansas, 2019. Morb Mort Wkly 2020; 69 (38): 1374-1377.
    \11\ Jeon S, Cleaton J, Meltzer M, et al. Determining the post-
elimination level of vaccination needed to prevent re-establishment 
of dog rabies. PLoS Neg Trop Dis 2019; 13 (12): e0007869.
    \12\ Velasco-Villa A, Mauldin MR, Shi M, et al. The history of 
rabies in the Western Hemisphere. Antiviral Res. 2017;146:221-232. 
doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.03.013.
    \13\ Raybern, C et al. Rabies in a dog imported from Egypt-
Kansas, 2019. Morb Mort Wkly 2020; 69 (38): 1374-1377.
    \14\ https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html.
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    Since 2015 there have been three known rabid dogs imported into the 
United States. All three dogs were rescue dogs imported by different 
rescue organizations for the purposes of adoption. These three cases, 
discussed below, highlight the immense public health resources required 
to investigate, respond to, and mitigate the public health threat posed 
by the importation.
    In 2015, a rabid dog was part of a group of eight dogs and 27 cats 
imported from Egypt by a rescue group. The dog had an unhealed leg 
fracture and began showing signs of rabies four days after arrival. 
Following the rabies diagnosis, the rescue workers in Egypt admitted 
that the dog's rabies vaccination certificate had been intentionally 
falsified to evade CDC entry requirements.\15\ Eighteen persons were 
recommended to receive rabies PEP, seven dogs underwent a six-month 
quarantine, and eight additional dogs housed in the same home as the 
rabid dog had to receive rabies booster vaccinations and undergo a 45-
day monitoring period.
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    \15\ Sinclair JR, Wallace RM, Gruszynski K, et al. Rabies in a 
dog imported from Egypt with a falsified rabies vaccination 
certificate--Virginia, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2015;64:1359-
62. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6449a2.
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    In 2017, a ``flight parent'' (a person solicited through social 
media, often not affiliated with the rescue organization, and usually 
compensated with an airline ticket) imported four dogs on behalf of a 
rescue organization. One of the dogs appeared agitated at the airport 
and bit the flight parent prior to the flight. The dog also had tooth 
fractures from reportedly having been hit by a car. A U.S. veterinarian 
examined the dog one day after its arrival and then euthanized and 
tested the dog for rabies. A post-mortem rabies test showed that the 
dog was positive for the virus. Public health officials recommended 
that at least four people receive rabies PEP, and the remaining three 
dogs underwent quarantine periods ranging from 30 days to 4 months. An 
investigation revealed the possibility of falsified rabies vaccination 
documentation presented on entry to the United States.\16\
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    \16\ Hercules Y, Bryant NJ, Wallace RM, et al. Rabies in a dog 
imported from Egypt--Connecticut, 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 
2018;67:1388-91. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6750a3.
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    In 2019, twenty-six dogs were imported into the United States by a 
rescue organization. All dogs had rabies vaccination certificates and 
serologic documentation, indicating the development of rabies 
antibodies (in response to immunization), based on results from an 
Egyptian government-affiliated rabies laboratory. However, one dog 
developed signs of rabies three weeks after arrival and had to be 
euthanized. The dog tested positive for rabies. Forty-four persons 
received PEP, and the 25 dogs imported on the same flight underwent re-
vaccination and quarantines of 4-6 months. An additional 12 dogs had 
contact with the rabid dog and had to be re-vaccinated and undergo 
quarantine periods ranging

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from 45 days to 6 months based on their previous vaccination 
status.\17\
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    \17\ Raybern, C et al. Rabies in a dog imported from Egypt-
Kansas, 2019. Morb Mort Wkly 2020; 69 (38): 1374-1377.
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    HHS/CDC estimates a range of costs for public health investigations 
and subsequent cost of care for people exposed to rabid dogs to cost 
between $215,386 and $508,879 per importation event as summarized in 
Section IV.18 19 This cost estimate does not account for the 
worst-case outcomes, which include (1) transmission of rabies to a 
person who dies from the disease or (2) ongoing transmission to other 
domestic and wildlife species in the United States. Re-establishment of 
CRVV into the United States, while unlikely, could result in costly 
efforts over several years to again eliminate the virus.
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    \18\ Raybern, C et al. Rabies in a dog imported from Egypt-
Kansas, 2019. Morb Mort Wkly 2020; 69 (38): 1374-1377.
    \19\ CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-
Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the United 
States. Fed Register 2019;84:724-730. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs.
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    A previous campaign to eliminate domestic dog-coyote rabies virus 
variant jointly with gray fox (Texas fox) rabies virus variant in Texas 
over the period from 1995 through 2003 cost $34 million 
20 21, or $52 million in 2019 U.S. dollars. Since January 
2020, public health resources globally have been diverted to COVID-19 
response activities which may have caused a lapse in canine rabies 
vaccination efforts in high-risk countries. The increased number of 
dogs with inadequate or falsified rabies vaccination certificates 
arriving in the United States \22\ may increase the likelihood of a 
CRVV-importation event. An importation of a dog with CRVV would divert 
U.S. public health resources away from ongoing and time sensitive 
COVID-19 response activities.
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    \20\ TJ Sidwa et al. (2005) Evaluation of oral rabies 
vaccination programs for control of rabies epizootics in coyotes and 
gray foxes: 1995-2003. Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine 
Association; 227(5):785-92.
    \21\ R.T. Sterner et al. (2009) Tactics and Economics of 
Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination, Canada and the United States. 
Emerging Infectious Diseases; 15(8), 1176-1184.
    \22\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Quarantine 
Activity Reporting System (version 4.9.8.8.2.2A). Dog Importation 
data, 2018-2020. Accessed: 15 February 2021.
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    On January 21, 2020, CDC launched an agency-wide response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, dedicating over 7,200 of the approximately 10,000 
CDC personnel to support the outbreak response. CDC's focus from the 
beginning has been to assist health departments, frontline healthcare 
workers, businesses, communities, and the public to protect themselves 
and save lives. As of March 15, 2021, over one thousand CDC personnel 
have conducted 3,150 deployments to 265 cities across the United States 
and abroad, and over three thousand documents have been developed 
providing information and guidance for government agencies, business 
and the public.\23\ The unprecedented nature of this public health 
response has naturally drawn federal, state, and local public health 
resources away from other important public health efforts, including 
preventing the reimportation of CRVV into the United States.
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    \23\ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cdcresponse/by-the-numbers.html.
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    Historically, approximately 60-70% of CDC's dog entry denials (or 
about 200 cases annually) have been due to fraudulent paperwork.\24\ 
This number is less than 1 percent of dog importations. Between January 
and December 2020, (during the COVID-19 pandemic), CDC documented more 
than 450 instances of incomplete, inadequate, or fraudulent rabies 
vaccination certificates for dogs arriving from high-risk countries. 
These cases resulted in the dogs being denied entry into the United 
States and returned to their countries of origin. The increase in the 
number of dogs inadequately vaccinated against rabies that importers 
are attempting to import into the United States has created a public 
health risk of importing CRVV into the U.S. and public health 
management of these dogs is unsustainable during the current COVID-19 
pandemic.
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    \24\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Quarantine 
Activity Reporting System (version 4.9.8.8.2.2A). Dog Importation 
data, 2010-2019. Accessed: 15 February 2021.

    To be considered complete and adequate, rabies vaccination 
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certificates currently must include all the following information:

 Name and address of owner
 Breed, sex, date of birth (approximate age if date of birth 
unknown), color, markings, and other identifying information for the 
dog
 Date of rabies vaccination and vaccine product information
 Date the vaccination expires
 Name, license number, address, and signature of veterinarian 
who administered the vaccination

    Upon the dog's arrival, federal officials examine the rabies 
vaccination certificates and ensure the description of the dog listed 
on the paperwork matches the dog presented. For a rabies vaccine to be 
effective, the dog must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age at the 
time of administration. A dog's initial vaccine must also be 
administered at least 4 weeks (28 days) before arrival in the United 
States.
    CDC has documented instances of fraudulent paperwork for dogs based 
on various factors. These include: Dogs that were younger than the age 
indicated on their rabies vaccination paperwork--based on dental 
examination by U.S. veterinarians; differences between the breed, sex, 
color, or microchip number listed on the rabies vaccine certificate and 
the dog presented for entry; suspicious veterinary stamps and 
inconsistent signatures between different veterinary paperwork; 
inconsistent dates of rabies vaccination between different veterinary 
documents; and vaccines administered after expiration date of the 
vaccine lot.
    Under CDC's regulatory authority, dogs arriving from high-risk 
countries without appropriate rabies vaccination certificates are 
denied entry and returned to the country of origin on the next 
available flight.\25\ Airlines are required to house dogs awaiting 
return to their country of origin at a facility, preferably a live 
animal care facility, that has an active custodial bond and a 
Facilities Information and Resource Management System (FIRMS) code 
issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which indicates the 
facility can provide accommodation that meets the US Department of 
Agriculture's Animal Welfare Act standards. However, there are 
insufficient live animal care facilities with a CBP-issued FIRMS code 
available to house dogs that are denied entry. Currently only one 
facility exists nationwide (www.arkjfk.com).
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    \25\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidance 
Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-Free'' as it Relates to 
the Importation of Dogs into the United States. Federal Register 
Notice; Vol. 84, No. 21. 31 January 2019. Available at: 2019-
00506.pdf (govinfo.gov).
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    If a live animal facility with a CBP-issued FIRMS code is not 
available, the airline must, at a minimum, provide accommodation that 
meets the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Welfare Act 
standards.\26\ Many airlines choose to leave dogs in cargo warehouses, 
which can create an unsafe environment for the dogs due to the 
prolonged periods of time between flights, inadequate cooling and 
heating, unacceptable cleaning and sanitization of crates, and 
inability to physically

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separate the animals from areas of the warehouse where other equipment, 
machinery, and goods are used and stored.
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    \26\ U.S. Department of Agriculture. Animal Welfare Regulations; 
Part 3, Subpart A: Transportation Standards. Sections 3.14-3.20. 
July 2020. Available at: USDA Animal Care: Animal Welfare Act and 
Animal Welfare Regulations.
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    During 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were fewer 
international flights worldwide,27 28 resulting in delayed 
returns for dogs denied entry. In August 2020, while in the custody of 
an airline, a dog died at Chicago O'Hare International Airport after 
CDC denied entry based on falsified rabies vaccination certificates. 
Despite CDC's request to find appropriate housing at a local kennel or 
veterinary clinic, the airline left the dog, along with 17 other dogs, 
in a cargo warehouse without food and water for more than 48 hours.\29\
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    \27\ https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/02/coronavirus-update-american-airlines-cuts-summer-international-flights-by-60percent-as-demand-suffers.html.
    \28\ https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2020/American-Airlines-Announces-Additional-Schedule-Changes-in-Response-to-Customer-Demand-Related-to-COVID-19-031420-OPS-DIS-03/default.aspx.
    \29\ Dog Dies At O'Hare Airport Warehouse, 17 Others Saved After 
Being Left Without Food Or Water For 3 Days--CBS Chicago 
(cbslocal.com).
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    While airlines are ultimately responsible for finding appropriate 
housing for dogs denied entry, the decreased number of flights combined 
with inadequate numbers of live animal care facilities with a CBP-
issued FIRMS code for holding animals creates significant 
administrative and financial burden for federal, state, and local 
governments. The government may be required to find individualized 
solutions to ensure appropriate accommodations for prolonged periods of 
time for these animals.
    While costs associated with housing, caring for dogs, and returning 
dogs are the responsibility of the importer (or airline if the importer 
abandons the dog), some importers and airlines are reluctant to pay 
these costs, requiring the Federal government to find appropriate 
interim housing facilities and veterinary care. The cost for housing, 
care, and returning improperly vaccinated dogs ranges between $1,000-
$4,000 per dog depending on the location and time required until the 
next available return flight. The Federal government bears these costs 
when airlines and importers do not.
    During 2020, CDC observed a 52% increase in dogs that were 
ineligible for entry compared to 2018 and 2019.\30\ The increasing 
demand to vaccinate and quarantine dogs that have been denied entry 
presents an increased burden to federal, state and local public health 
agencies already responding to the COVID pandemic. The increased 
inspections, medical care, and appropriate quarantine of dogs 
inadequately vaccinated against rabies has financially burdened federal 
and state public health agencies.
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    \30\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Quarantine 
Activity Reporting System (version 4.9.8.8.2.2A). Dog Importation 
data, 2018-2020. Accessed: 15 February 2021.
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    Between May through December 2020, CDC spent more than 3,000 
personnel-hours at an estimated cost of $270,000 to respond to the 
attempted importation of unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated dogs 
from high-risk rabies countries during these eight months. The time 
spent represented a substantial increase from previous years because of 
(1) the 52% increase in dogs with inadequate documentation; and (2) the 
additional time spent identifying interim accommodations for the dogs 
because of the reduced outbound international flight schedules due to 
the pandemic. These are resources and personnel-hours diverted from 
CDC's current paramount objective in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic 
and do not include time from other Federal, state, and local public 
health partners.
    Pursuant to the terms of this notice, HHS/CDC is temporarily 
suspending the importation of dogs from high-risk countries. This 
suspension includes dogs originating in low-risk or CRVV-free countries 
that have been in a high-risk country in the previous six months (not 
including animals transiting through high-risk countries). The 
suspension will reduce the risk of importation of CRVV and preserve 
public health resources needed for the COVID-19 response. The 
suspension will also allow CDC to work with Federal and state partners, 
airlines, and other stakeholders to consider options for a more 
streamlined and efficient dog importation process that will be safer 
for pets. Most importantly, it will ensure that U.S. public health 
remains protected.
    This notice creates a narrow set of exceptions for certain 
categories of dogs imported into the United States with advance written 
approval from CDC. The requirement for advanced written approval will 
help ensure that the limited number of dogs imported into the United 
State from high-risk countries have valid documentation of rabies 
vaccination upon entry. It will also mitigate the costs placed upon the 
U.S. government, airlines, and importers associated with reexporting 
dogs that do not meet CDC entry requirements.

III. Advance Written Approval

    The suspension provisions of this notice do not apply if advance 
written approval from CDC has been obtained to import a dog from a 
high-risk country that has been fully immunized against rabies. This 
includes a dog that has been in a high-risk country in the previous 6 
months and is being imported from a low-risk or CRVV-free country. Such 
approvals will be granted on a limited and case-by-case basis and at 
CDC's discretion. CDC's decision will be considered final.
    The following categories of importers are eligible to request 
advance written approval to import a dog into the United States:
     U.S. government personnel who are relocating back to the 
United States with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders or 
Temporary Duty (TDY) orders.\31\
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    \31\ PCS Order definition https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation-ftr/i1186607#i1186607.
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     U.S. citizens and lawful residents relocating to the 
United States. The application should include written documentation 
from an employer or other official source stating the reason for the 
relocation, such as a letter by an employer or university stating that 
the U.S. citizen or lawful resident is relocating for reasons of 
employment or education.
     Importers who wish to import dogs for purposes related to 
science, education, or exhibition, as these terms are defined in 42 CFR 
71.50, or for a bona fide law enforcement purpose.
     Owners of service animals, if the dog is individually 
trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual 
with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, 
intellectual, or other mental disability. In accordance with U.S. 
Department of Transportation regulations at 14 CFR part 382, emotional 
support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, and service 
animals in training are not considered service animals for the purposes 
of this Notice.
    During this temporary suspension, importers who meet the 
eligibility criteria listed above may make a one-time request to import 
up to three dogs as part of a single importation. All dogs must be six 
months of age or older at the time of entry and, as further explained 
in this notice, must enter the United States at a port of entry with a 
live animal care facility with a CBP-issued FIRMS code. Importers of 
dogs for science, education, or exhibition, as these terms are defined 
in 42 CFR 71.50, or bona fide law-enforcement purposes may import more 
than three dogs.
    To request the advance written approval of the CDC, importers who

[[Page 32045]]

meet the eligibility criteria listed above must submit the Application 
for a Permit to Import a Dog Inadequately Immunized Against Rabies, 
(approved under OMB Control Number 0920-0134 Foreign Quarantine 
Regulations (exp. 03/31/2022), or as revised). To request an 
application for the permit, an importer must send an email to the 
Director, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, at 
[email protected].
    Once an importer receives instructions and the permit application, 
the importer's request with all supporting documentation must be 
submitted at least 30 business days before the date on which the dog 
will enter the United States. A request cannot be made at the port of 
entry upon the dogs' arrival into the United States; dogs that arrive 
without advance written approval from the CDC will be returned to their 
country of origin on the next available flight. As required by the 
permit application, a request must present sufficient and reliable 
evidence conclusively demonstrating that the dog to be imported has 
been fully immunized against rabies.\32\ Such evidence includes:
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    \32\ The permit is currently under revision (Permit to Import a 
Dog Inadequately Immunized Against Rabies, (OMB Control Number 0920-
0134 Foreign Quarantine Regulations (exp. 03/31/2022)). Despite the 
permit application's current title, inadequately immunized dogs do 
not qualify for the exception.
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    1. A valid rabies vaccination certificate that was issued in the 
United States by a U.S.-licensed veterinarian. The certificate must 
state that the vaccine was administered on or after the dog was 12 
weeks (84 days) of age and at least 28 days prior to entry, if it was 
the dog's initial vaccine. OR
    2. A valid rabies vaccination certificate from a non-U.S.-licensed 
veterinarian AND serologic evidence of rabies vaccination from an 
approved rabies serology laboratory \33\ (serologic results >0.5IU/mL 
required)collected in accordance with the OIE Terrestrial Manual.\34\ 
The certificate must state that the vaccine was administered on or 
after the dog was 12 weeks (84 days) of age and at least 28 days prior 
to entry, if it was the dog's initial vaccine. The certificate must be 
in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.
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    \33\ Will provide link to CDC website with list of approved 
laboratories.
    \34\ OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Chapter 5.11. Available 
at: Access online: OIE--World Organisation for Animal Health.
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    Furthermore, based on the circumstances, an importer may also be 
required to submit the following:
     Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, or Temporary 
Duty Orders (TDY) (U.S. Government personnel);
     Documentation or evidence that the dog to be imported is a 
service dog (as defined in this Notice);
     Employment letter or other evidence of relocating to the 
United States after living abroad; or
     Other justification that meets the above-listed 
eligibility criteria along with supporting documentation.
    Dogs arriving from a high-risk country with a CDC permit must enter 
the United States at a port of entry with a live animal care facility 
with a CBP-issued FIRMS code that can provide accommodation that meets 
the U.S Department of Agriculture's Animal Welfare Act standards. 
Currently, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City is 
the only U.S. port of entry with a live animal care facility that meets 
these standards. However, if any additional ports of entry become 
capable of meeting these standards, CDC will publish the list of ports 
of entry in the Federal Register and on the CDC animal importation 
website. Animals imported for bona fide law-enforcement purposes are 
not required to enter the United States at a port of entry with a live 
animal care facility with a CBP-issued FIRMS code.
    CDC additionally requires dogs arriving from a high-risk country 
with a CDC permit be microchipped on or before the date that they 
receive their rabies vaccination. The microchip number must be listed 
on the rabies vaccination certificate. Photographs of the dog's teeth 
are required for age verification. CDC will respond to an importer's 
request in writing and may impose additional conditions in granting the 
approval. An importer must present CDC's written response and approval 
upon entry into the United States. If a request for advance approval is 
denied, CDC's written denial will constitute final agency action.
    Any dog from a high-risk country will be excluded from entering the 
United States and returned to its country of origin on the next 
available flight, regardless of carrier or route, if it arrives without 
advance written approval from the CDC, arrives at a port of entry 
without a live animal care facility with a CBP-issued FIRMS code, or if 
the animal presented does not match the description of the animal 
listed on the permit. The importer (or airline carrier if the importer 
abandons the animal) will be financially responsible for all housing, 
care, and return costs. In keeping with current practice, importers 
should continue to check with Federal, state, and local government 
officials regarding additional requirements of the final destination 
prior to entry or re-entry into the United States.

IV. Economic Impact of This Temporary Suspension

    Executive Orders 12866: ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' and 
13563: ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review'' direct agencies 
to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives 
and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that 
maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, 
public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). 
Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both 
costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting 
flexibility.
    Although the temporary suspension of dogs from countries at high-
risk for CRVV is expected to reduce the number of dogs imported into 
the United States, importers of dogs from high-risk countries will be 
able to submit a request for advanced written permission at least 30 
days prior to planned importation in the United States. Thus, some 
importers will be able to import up to three dogs from high-risk 
countries with CDC-issued permits.
    CDC has previously estimated that between 87,000 and 116,000 dogs 
are imported from high-risk countries each year.\35\ This estimate is 
significantly greater than the numbers recorded by CBP for formal entry 
under HTS code 0106199120 and HTS Description: Other live animals, 
other, dogs, which averaged 16,390 and varied from 9,966 to 24,031 over 
the 3-year period from 2018 through 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ HHS/CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of 
``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the 
United States. (January 31, 2019) 84 FR 724: 724-730.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The number of dogs reported under this HTS category do not include 
hand-carried dogs traveling in airplane cabins or crossing at land 
borders without formal entry and, thus, are not inclusive of all dog 
imports. To account for the uncertainty in the number of dogs imported 
to the United States from high-risk countries without formal entry, CDC 
used the following assumptions in the analysis of this action: (1) Most 
likely estimate: 3 times the average number of dogs with formal entry 
from 2018-2020 = 60,696 dogs per year, (2) Lower bound: 2 times the 
average number of dogs with formal entry from 2018-2020 = 32,781, and 
(3) Upper bound: 5 times the number of dogs arriving in the highest 
year (2019) =

[[Page 32046]]

120,155. These baseline estimates are used throughout the analysis 
(Table 1).
    CDC assumed that the temporary suspension would reduce the number 
of dogs imported from high-risk countries by 75% and considered a range 
of 50%-90% to calculate lower and upper bound estimates. This would 
result in estimates of 15,124 (range: 3,203-60,040 dogs) dogs imported 
with CDC-issued permits per year with the suspension in place. The 
temporary suspension would reduce the estimated numbers of dogs 
imported per year by 45,572 (range: 29,758-60,115). CDC also estimated 
the numbers of dogs denied entry under the baseline and with the 
temporary suspension in effect. An estimated 500 (range: 300-750) dogs 
would be denied entry under the baseline based on data from 2020 and 
previous years. The temporary suspension and CDC permit process are 
expected to reduce the number of dogs denied entry by 90% (range: 75%-
95%) such that only 50 (range: 15-188) dogs would be denied entry with 
the temporary suspension.

Table 1--Estimated Numbers of Dogs From High-Risk Countries Imported or Denied Entry Under the Baseline and With
                                            the Temporary Suspension
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Most likely
                                                                     estimate       Lower bound     Upper bound
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated number of dogs imported from high-risk countries at             60,696          32,781         120,155
 baseline.......................................................
Estimated % reduction in number of dogs imported from high-risk              75%             90%             50%
 countries with temporary suspension............................
Estimated number of dogs imported from high-risk countries with           15,174           3,278          60,078
 temporary suspension...........................................
Change in number of dogs imported from high-risk countries......          45,522          29,503          60,078
Estimated number of dogs denied entry from high risk countries               500             300             750
 at baseline....................................................
Estimated % reduction in dogs denied entry with temporary                    90%             95%             75%
 suspension.....................................................
Estimated number of dogs denied entry with temporary suspension.              50              15             188
Change in numbers of dogs denied entry with temporary suspension             450             285             563
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The estimated costs and benefits (in 2019 U.S. dollars) associated 
with the temporary suspension of dogs from countries at high-risk for 
CRVV are summarized in Table 2. CDC estimates that importers, CDC, and 
DHS/CBP will incur about $11.8 million in costs (range: $2.2-$57.6 
million) over the one-year period anticipated for the suspension. The 
large difference between the lower and upper bound is due to both 
uncertainty in the number of dogs imported from high-risk countries 
under the baseline as well as uncertainty in many of the costs 
associated with the suspension.
    Most of the costs will be incurred by importers (most likely 
estimate of $10.8 million, 91% of the total), who will have to (1) 
spend time requesting advance written permission, (2) pay for serologic 
testing unless the imported dog already has a valid U.S. rabies 
vaccination certificate issued by a U.S.-licensed veterinarian, (3) re-
route travel to a port of entry with a live animal care facility with a 
CBP-issued FIRMS code, and (4) the potential economic costs of being 
unable to import a dog from a high-risk country (either the inability 
to travel with a pet from a high-risk country or the need to substitute 
the importation of a dog from CRVV-free or low-risk country instead of 
a dog from a high-risk country).
    The one-year benefits (averted costs) from the temporary suspension 
are estimated to be $2.3 million, range: $1.0-$5.1 million). Most of 
the benefits (most likely estimate of $1.5 million, 64% of total) of 
the temporary suspension accrue to CBP due to the reduction in the 
number of dogs imported from high-risk countries (which require 
screening), the number of dogs denied entry, and an estimated decrease 
in the amount of time to review a CDC permit vs. the time required to 
review documentation under the baseline. Importers, CDC, and airlines 
also benefit from the averted costs associated with the reduction in 
the number of dogs denied entry with the suspension relative to 
baseline. The net cost of the temporary suspension is calculated from 
the annual costs-annual benefits resulting in an estimate of $9.5 
million (range: $1.2-$52.5 million).

            Table 2--Summary Table of Costs and Benefits in 2019 Dollars, Over a 1-Year Time Horizon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Most likely
                            Category                                 estimate       Lower bound     Upper bound
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits:
    Annual monetized benefits to importers/owners of dogs from          $579,260        $215,765      $1,508,443
     high risk countries........................................
    Annual monetized benefits to airlines.......................          54,000          11,400         168,750
    Annual monetized benefits to DHS/CBP........................       1,491,418         678,417       3,055,534
    Annual monetized benefits to HHS/CDC........................         198,369          92,153         398,948
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
        Total annualized monetized benefits.....................       2,175,209         920,521       4,836,488
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Quantified, but unmonetized, benefits.......................  The estimated response costs associated with a
                                                                  dog imported while infected with canine rabies
                                                                     virus variant (CRVV) are $315,682, range:
                                                                   $215,386 to $508,879. The permit requirement
                                                                  for high risk countries should reduce the risk
                                                                    of importation of dogs infected with CRVV.

[[Page 32047]]

 
    Qualitative benefits........................................      Any importation of a dog with CRVV will
                                                                    require the reallocation of limited public
                                                                     health resources to support a response to
                                                                    mitigate the risk of transmission of CRVV.
                                                                   This could reduce the effectiveness of COVID-
                                                                      19 response activities and vaccination
                                                                      programs. In addition, these competing
                                                                   priorities may increase the risk of unlikely,
                                                                    but very costly outcomes associated with an
                                                                  importation of a dog with CRVV such as (1) the
                                                                  potential risk of death in a person who may be
                                                                  unaware of his/her exposure to a dog with CRVV
                                                                  and (2) the risk of re-introduction of CRVV in
                                                                                the United States.
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Costs:
    Annualized monetized costs to Importers/owners of dogs from      $10,752,595      $1,956,530     $54,191,420
     high risk countries........................................
    Annual monetized costs to airlines..........................               0               0               0
    Annualized monetized costs to DHS/CBP.......................         192,498               0         461,994
    Annual monetized costs to HHS/CDC...........................         848,142         280,952       2,974,298
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
        Total annualized monetized costs........................      11,793,199       2,237,473      57,627,615
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The primary public health benefit of the temporary suspension is 
the reduced risk that a dog with CRVV will be imported from a high-risk 
country. Based on experience with previous importations, CDC estimated 
the cost per imported dog with CRVV to be $315,682, range $215,386 to 
$508,879.36 37 This cost estimate includes health department 
staff time for the public health response, payments for post-exposure 
prophylaxis for exposed persons, and the costs associated with 
quarantining or euthanizing exposed animals. Any importation of a dog 
with CRVV would also likely divert public health resources away from 
COVID-19 response activities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ Raybern, C et al. Rabies in a dog imported from Egypt-
Kansas, 2019. Morb Mort Wkly 2020; 69 (38): 1374-1377.
    \37\ CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of ``Rabies-
Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the United 
States. Fed Register 2019;84:724-730. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/01/31/2019-00506/guidance-regarding-agency-interpretation-of-rabies-free-as-it-relates-to-the-importation-of-dogs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Using the most likely estimates of the net cost ($9.5 million) and 
the most likely estimate of the potential benefits of averting the 
importation of a dog with CRVV from a high-risk country ($316,000), it 
is possible to calculate how many dogs with CRVV would need to be 
imported under the baseline for the benefits to equal costs. The net 
costs ($9.5 million) divided by the cost per importation ($316,000) 
suggests that at least 30 dogs with CRVV would need to be imported 
under the baseline for benefits to exceed costs. This would require a 
huge increase in the number of dogs imported into the United States 
while infected with CRVV, which could only occur as a result of 
widespread failures of rabies control programs in multiple high-risk 
countries.
    The above estimate of the cost of an importation of a dog with CRVV 
does not account for the worst-case outcomes, which include (1) 
transmission of rabies to a person who dies from the disease or (2) 
ongoing transmission to other domestic and wildlife species in the 
United States. Re-establishment of CRVV into the United States, while 
unlikely, could result in costly efforts over several years to again 
eliminate the virus.
    The cost of re-introduction could be especially high if CRVV 
spreads to other species of U.S. wildlife. Both of these worst-case 
outcomes may be more likely to occur during the COVID-19 pandemic 
because public health resources have been diverted to COVID-19 response 
activities and vaccination programs.
    Human deaths from rabies continue to occur in the United States 
after exposures to wild animals. However, no U.S. resident has died 
after exposure to an imported dog with CRVV in at least 20 years. CDC 
uses the value of statistical life (VSL) to assign a value to 
interventions that can result in mortality risk reductions. For 2019, 
the estimated VSL is $10.6 million with a range of $5.0 to $16.2 
million.\38\ However, CDC is unable to estimate the potential magnitude 
of the mortality risk reduction associated with the temporary 
suspension.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ HHS/ASPE, 2016. Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services. Guidelines for Regulatory Impact Analysis. https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/pdf/242926/HHS_RIAGuidance.pdf. Accessed 
April 20, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Re-establishment of CRVV into the United States, while unlikely, 
would also result in costly efforts over a number of years to eliminate 
the virus. A previous campaign to eliminate domestic dog-coyote rabies 
virus variant jointly with gray fox (Texas fox) rabies virus variant in 
Texas over the period from 1995 through 2003 cost $34 
million,39 40 or $52 million in 2019 U.S. dollars. The costs 
to contain any reintroduction would depend on the time period before 
the reintroduction was realized, the wildlife species in which CRVV was 
transmitted, and the geographic area over which reintroduction occurs. 
The above estimate is limited to the cost of rabies vaccination 
programs for targeted wildlife and does not include the costs to 
administer post-exposure prophylaxis to any persons exposed after the 
reintroduction has been identified.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ TJ Sidwa et al. (2005) Evaluation of oral rabies 
vaccination programs for control of rabies epizootics in coyotes and 
gray foxes: 1995-2003. Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine 
Association; 227(5):785-92.
    \40\ R.T. Sterner et al. (2009) Tactics and Economics of 
Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination, Canada and the United States. 
Emerging Infectious Diseases; 15(8), 1176-1184.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assumptions Used To Estimate Costs and Benefits

    CDC estimated costs and benefits to importers, CDC, CBP, and 
airlines under the baseline and with the temporary

[[Page 32048]]

suspension in place. All cost estimates were converted to 2019 U.S. 
dollars. The costs to importers with the temporary suspension were 
calculated using the following assumptions:
     The opportunity costs for importer time were estimated at 
$36.41 (range: $25.72-$47.10) per hour based on the average U.S. wage 
rate and a Department of Transportation estimate specific to 
international travelers.41 42
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ Bureau of Labor Statistics in the May 2019 National 
Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates United States https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm.
    \42\ U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Transportation 
Policy. The Value of Travel Time Savings: Departmental Guidance for 
Conducting Economic Evaluations Revision 2 (2016 Update), ``Table 4 
(Revision 2--2016 Update): Recommended Hourly Values of Travel Time 
Savings.'' September 27, 2016. https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/2016%20Revised%20Value%20of%20Travel%20Time%20Guidance.pdf. Accessed 
June 4, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Importers seeking advance written permission for 15,124 
(range: 3,263-59,890) dogs.
    [cir] An assumption of 1 hour (range 0.5--2 hours) to submit 
advance written approval and fulfill the informational and testing 
requirements for a permit.
    [cir] Estimated costs of $50 (range: $20-$65) for a rabies titer 
test at an approved rabies serology laboratory.\43\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ United Kingdom Animal and Plant Health Agency Laboratory 
Price List TC702. https://science.vla.gov.uk/Tests/SearchResults.aspx?SiteName=CDT&PriceListCategoryId=33. Accessed 11/
1/2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    [cir] Assumed cost of $100 (range: $80-$120) for a veterinarian to 
draw blood sample and ship it to an approved rabies serology 
laboratory.
    [cir] Estimated cost of $40 (range: $25-$50) to implant a 
microchip.\44\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ PetSide. How Much Does it Cost to Microchip a Dog. https://www.petside.com/dog-microchip-cost/ Accessed 2/17/2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    [cir] An assumption that 40% of importers will already have a valid 
rabies vaccination certificate issued by a U.S.-licensed veterinarian 
and will not need testing from an approved rabies serology laboratory 
or microchip.
    [cir] An assumption that 75% of importers of dogs from high-risk 
countries would need to re-route travel to a port of entry with a live 
animal care facility with a CBP-issued FIRMS code, which would incur an 
increased ticket cost of $200 and 4 additional hours of travel time.
     Importers who are unable to import a dog from a high-risk 
country because of the temporary suspension (45,572, range: 29,518-
60,265 dogs) would incur an assumed cost of $100 (range: $50-$400) per 
dog because of time spent away from pets or increased costs of 
substitution to import a dog from a CRVV-free or low-risk country.
    The costs for CDC were estimated based on:
     An assumed staff time cost of 20 minutes (range: 15-30 
minutes) per permit issued by a GS-12, step 5 reviewer.
     Oversight of the permit process by two GS-13, step 5 
veterinarians.
     30 minutes of staff time to revise training materials for 
CBP staff.
     CDC staffing costs are estimated using the GS pay scale 
for the Atlanta area and multiplying by 2 to account for non-wage 
benefits and overhead.
    The costs for CBP included 5 minutes (range 0-10 minutes) for 
25,052 (range: 20,402-30,602) CBP officers (average level GS-12, step 
5) to receive training on the temporary suspension. CBP staffing costs 
are estimated using the GS pay scale for the Washington, DC area and 
multiplying by 2 to account for non-wage benefits and overhead.
    CDC assumed that airlines would not incur new costs for this 
temporary suspension because the time required to review CDC-issued 
permits prior to boarding dogs from high-risk countries should be 
similar to the amount of time required to review vaccination 
certificates under the current baseline. There may be some reduction in 
cargo fees revenue associated with the reduction in dogs imported from 
countries at high risk for CRVV (range: 29,518-60,265 dogs), but this 
lost revenue may be offset by revenues received to import dogs from 
CRVV-free or low-risk countries or revenue received for cargo other 
than dogs. CDC lacks sufficient data to estimate such costs but expects 
the net cost to airlines to be limited.
    The expected annual benefits (averted costs) were estimated for 
importers, CDC, CBP, and airlines based on the reduced numbers of dogs 
delayed entry and the reduced time spent by CBP officers to screen dogs 
from high-risk countries.
    The estimated benefits (averted costs) for importers were estimated 
based on:
     An estimated reduction in time spent by CBP to review 
documentation for dogs from high-risk countries assuming an estimate of 
17 minutes (range: 13.6-20.4 minutes) per dog to review documentation 
under the baseline \45\ to 5 minutes (range: 3-8 minutes) per dog to 
review permits during the suspension.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ HHS/CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of 
``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the 
United States. (January 31, 2019) 84 FR 724: 724-730.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     An estimated 2 hours per dog denied entry (estimated at 
450 fewer dogs denied entry, range: 285-563) with the suspension 
relative to baseline.
     CDC assumed that 80% of dogs denied entry would be re-
imported to the United States at a round-trip cost of $1,200 per dog to 
the importer.\46\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ HHS/CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of 
``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the 
United States. (January 31, 2019) 84 FR 724: 724-730.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     CDC assumed that 20% of dogs denied entry would be 
abandoned by importers at a cost of $100 per dog to the importer.
    The estimated benefits (averted costs) to CDC were estimated based 
on:
     An estimated 4 hours of CDC staff time per dog denied 
entry at an average GS-level 13, step 5 at CDC Headquarters and an 
average of 30 minutes of CDC quarantine station staff time per dog 
denied entry at an average GS-level 11, step 5. The actual mix of staff 
at CDC Headquarters who need to support denials of entry would vary 
from GS-11 through Senior Executive Staff and varies depending on time 
spent on appeals and finding shelter for abandoned dogs.
    The estimated benefits (averted costs) to CBP were estimated based 
on:
     An estimated reduction in the number of dogs imported from 
high-risk countries due to the temporary suspension: 45,572 (range: 
29,758-60,115) relative to baseline.
     Under the baseline, CDC estimated that each dog imported 
from a high-risk country requires 17 minutes (range: 13.6-20.4 minutes) 
of CBP officer time to review documents (GS-12, step 5).\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ HHS/CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of 
``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the 
United States. (January 31, 2019) 84 FR 724: 724-730.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     With the temporary suspension in place, CDC estimates that 
the time required to review CDC-issued permits would decrease from the 
above to 5 (range: 3-8) minutes per dog for the estimated 15,124 
(range: 3,263-59,890) dogs arriving with permits.
     An estimated reduction in the number of dogs denied entry 
because of the temporary suspension: (estimated at 450 fewer dogs 
denied entry, range: 285-563).
     An estimate of 71 (range: 47-95) minutes of CBP staff time 
required per dog denied entry (GS-12, step 5).\48\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ HHS/CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of 
``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the 
United States. (January 31, 2019) 84 FR 724: 724-730.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The estimated benefits (averted costs) for airlines were estimated 
based on:
     The reduction in the estimated numbers of dogs denied 
entry and abandoned by importers (100 under the baseline vs. 10 with 
the suspension of entry).

[[Page 32049]]

     An assumed cost of $600 per dog for airlines to fly 
abandoned dogs back to their countries of origin.\49\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ HHS/CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of 
``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the 
United States. (January 31, 2019) 84 FR 724: 724-730.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The costs associated with an importation of a dog with CRVV 
includes health department staff time for the public health response, 
payments for post-exposure prophylaxis treatment for exposed persons, 
and the costs associated with quarantining or euthanizing exposed 
animals. CDC estimated the response cost per imported dog with CRVV to 
be $315,682, range $215,386 to $508,879 based on the following 
assumptions:
     An estimate of 800 hours of health department staff time 
per importation.\50\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ HHS/CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of 
``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the 
United States. (January 31, 2019) 84 FR 724: 724-730.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The public health response time is split evenly among 
veterinarians (code 29-1131, $50.39 per hour), epidemiologists (19-
1041, $37.64 per hour), registered nurses (29-1141, $37.24 per hour), 
licensed practical nurses (29-2061, $23.32 per hour), and office and 
administrative assistants (43-0000, $19.73 per hour).51 52 
These wage estimates are multiplied by 2 to account for non-wage 
benefits and overhead.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2019 National Occupational 
Employment and Wage Estimates. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm.
    \52\ Bureau of Labor Statistics in the May 2019 National 
Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates United States https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     An average of 25 (range: 16-44) individuals will require 
post-exposure prophylaxis because of exposure to the dog with 
CRVV.53 54
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ Rayburn et al. (2020) Rabies in a Dog Imported from Egypt--
Kansas, 2019. MMWR; 69(38): 1374-1377.
    \54\ HHS/CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of 
``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the 
United States. (January 31, 2019) 84 FR 724: 724-730.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The average cost of post-exposure prophylaxis was 
estimated to be $9,290.\55\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \55\ Rayburn et al. (2020) Rabies in a Dog Imported from Egypt--
Kansas, 2019. MMWR; 69(38): 1374-1377.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     An estimated 29.6 animals would need to be quarantined or 
euthanized due to exposure to the dog with CRVV.
     Each exposed animal would incur economic costs of $1,000 
for quarantine or euthanasia.\56\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \56\ HHS/CDC. Guidance Regarding Agency Interpretation of 
``Rabies-Free'' as It Relates to the Importation of Dogs Into the 
United States. (January 31, 2019) 84 FR 724: 724-730.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Terms of This Notice

    Therefore, pursuant to 42 CFR 71.51(e) and 42 CFR 71.63, and 
subject to the terms of this notice, CDC hereby excludes the entry and 
suspends the importation of dogs from high-risk countries, including 
dogs from low-risk and CRVV-free countries if the dogs have been 
present in a high-risk country in the previous six months.
    Additionally, under 42 CFR 71.63, CDC finds that CRVV exists in 
countries designated as high-risk countries and that, if reintroduced 
into the United States, CRVV would threaten the public health of the 
United States. The continued entry of dogs from high-risk countries in 
the context of the current limited CDC resources and personnel diverted 
to respond to COVID-19 further increases the risk that CRVV may be 
introduced, transmitted, or spread into the United States. CDC has 
coordinated in advance with other federal agencies as necessary to 
implement and enforce this notice.
    This notice is not a rule within the meaning of the Administrative 
Procedure Act (``APA''), but rather notice of an emergency action taken 
under the existing authority of 42 CFR 71.51(e) and 42 CFR 71.63. In 
the event that this notice qualifies as a rule under the APA, notice 
and comment and a delay in effective date are not required because 
there is good cause to dispense with prior public notice and the 
opportunity to comment on this notice. Considering the public health 
emergency caused by the virus associated with COVID-19, the ongoing 
diversion of public health resources and personnel to respond to the 
pandemic, and the risk of reintroduction of CRVV from dogs being 
imported from high-risk countries, it would be impractical and contrary 
to the public's health, and by extension the public's interest, to 
delay the issuance and effective date of this notice.
    Effective July 14, 2021: Pursuant to the exception, dogs from high 
risk-countries must be 6 months of age to be imported and fully 
vaccinated against rabies, and eligible importers may only import up to 
3 dogs upon receipt of advanced written approval from the CDC. 
Importers wishing to import dogs from high-risk countries should:
    1. Submit a request for advanced written permission (i.e., 
Application for a Permit to Import a Dog Inadequately Immunized Against 
Rabies, (approved under OMB Control Number 0920-0134 Foreign Quarantine 
Regulations (exp. 03/31/2022), or as revised)) at least 30 days prior 
to planned importation in the United States.
    2. Submit all documentation listed above in Section III Advanced 
Written Approval.
    The request for advance written permission must include proof of 
the dog's identity including pictures of the dogs' teeth, other 
descriptive details, proof of rabies vaccination, and microchip 
information. Dogs arriving from high-risk countries must enter the 
United States at a port of entry with a live animal care facility with 
a CBP-issued FIRMS code that can provide accommodation that meets the 
U.S Department of Agriculture's Animal Welfare Act standards.
    This temporary suspension will remain in place until the earliest 
of (1) the expiration of the Secretary of Health and Human Services' 
declaration that COVID-19 constitutes a public health emergency; (2) 
the CDC Director rescinds or modifies this suspension based on specific 
public health or other considerations; or (3) 360 days from publication 
in the Federal Register.

    Dated: June 9, 2021.
Sandra Cashman,
Executive Secretary, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2021-12418 Filed 6-14-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P