Doctors are today treating three people for rabies after they were bitten by a puppy infected with the virus.
The victims are believed to be members of staff at a rescue centre and quarantine kennels in Chingford, Essex, where the young dog was being held after being brought into the country from Sri Lanka.
Health officials are now attempting to trace other animals that came into contact with the infected puppy, but they insisted that any risk to public health had been contained.
Dr Dilys Morgan, a rabies expert from the HPA, said: "We understand that three individuals connected to the quarantine centre and rescue centre were bitten by the animal and all have received or will be receiving prompt protective treatment with appropriate vaccination.
"Even if someone has been bitten by an animal with rabies, prompt post-exposure treatment following the bite is highly effective in preventing rabies."
The dog, which died on Thursday, had been held in a licensed quarantine kennel in Chingford since April 18. It is thought to have been brought into the country by a dog rescue charity from Sri Lanka, where rabies is rife. Tests on the dead puppy revealed it had been infected with a strain of rabies.
The three staff members who were bitten are not showing any clinical signs of the disease.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it was checking animals that may have come into contact with the infected puppy, including those which have since left the centre. But they insisted that the risk of further infections was low and that the UK currently still maintained a rabies free status.
Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Alick Simmons said: "While initial tests show that this puppy has tested positive for rabies, this shows that the system is working and the case has been picked up while the animal is in quarantine. "This means it is contained and the UK's rabies free status remains in place.
Iain Duncan Smith, Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, in Essex, said he received a call on Friday evening from environment minister Lord Rooker.
The former Conservative leader said: "Naturally, I am very concerned about the welfare of the staff who have been affected. I was assured by the minister that the situation is under control."
But he described it as "disturbing and worrying".
Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "Clearly it is concerning that rabies has returned to the UK. However, it appears that the quarantine system has worked.
"It will of course be essential to ensure that any animals which have been in contact with this infected animal are traced as quickly as possible.
"Swift action must be taken to ensure there is no possibility of this disease spreading to the wider environment."
telegraph
sath thun ta beheth tika hari welawata gahan na o ne
Tv eke me gana thamai kathwa
me he minis su nikan baya wela
The victims are believed to be members of staff at a rescue centre and quarantine kennels in Chingford, Essex, where the young dog was being held after being brought into the country from Sri Lanka.
Health officials are now attempting to trace other animals that came into contact with the infected puppy, but they insisted that any risk to public health had been contained.
Dr Dilys Morgan, a rabies expert from the HPA, said: "We understand that three individuals connected to the quarantine centre and rescue centre were bitten by the animal and all have received or will be receiving prompt protective treatment with appropriate vaccination.
"Even if someone has been bitten by an animal with rabies, prompt post-exposure treatment following the bite is highly effective in preventing rabies."
The dog, which died on Thursday, had been held in a licensed quarantine kennel in Chingford since April 18. It is thought to have been brought into the country by a dog rescue charity from Sri Lanka, where rabies is rife. Tests on the dead puppy revealed it had been infected with a strain of rabies.
The three staff members who were bitten are not showing any clinical signs of the disease.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it was checking animals that may have come into contact with the infected puppy, including those which have since left the centre. But they insisted that the risk of further infections was low and that the UK currently still maintained a rabies free status.
Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Alick Simmons said: "While initial tests show that this puppy has tested positive for rabies, this shows that the system is working and the case has been picked up while the animal is in quarantine. "This means it is contained and the UK's rabies free status remains in place.
Iain Duncan Smith, Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, in Essex, said he received a call on Friday evening from environment minister Lord Rooker.
The former Conservative leader said: "Naturally, I am very concerned about the welfare of the staff who have been affected. I was assured by the minister that the situation is under control."
But he described it as "disturbing and worrying".
Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "Clearly it is concerning that rabies has returned to the UK. However, it appears that the quarantine system has worked.
"It will of course be essential to ensure that any animals which have been in contact with this infected animal are traced as quickly as possible.
"Swift action must be taken to ensure there is no possibility of this disease spreading to the wider environment."
telegraph
sath thun ta beheth tika hari welawata gahan na o ne
Tv eke me gana thamai kathwa
me he minis su nikan baya wela
