Which agency regulates the importation of dogs, cats, monkeys and other animals that can carry zoonotic diseases?

Which agency regulates the importation of dogs, cats, monkeys and other animals that can carry zoonotic diseases?

• A. Food and Drug Administration
• B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• C. USDA APHIS VS
• D. Environmental Protection Agency

Answer: (B)

Regulating the importation of animals that can carry diseases is a public health control task. The agency in the United States that oversees this directly is the CDC, especially through its Division of Global Migration and Quarantine. They require permits, health documentation, vaccines, and sometimes quarantine to prevent bringing zoonotic diseases like rabies or other infections into the country from imported dogs, cats, and nonhuman primates. This focus on preventing disease spread to people is what makes CDC the correct choice. Other agencies focus on different areas: for example, FDA handles drugs and medical products, EPA deals with environmental regulations, and USDA APHIS VS centers on animal health within agriculture and trade, not the primary public health import controls for pets and nonhuman primates.

Regulating the importation of animals that can carry diseases is a public health control task. The agency in the United States that oversees this directly is the CDC, especially through its Division of Global Migration and Quarantine. They require permits, health documentation, vaccines, and sometimes quarantine to prevent bringing zoonotic diseases like rabies or other infections into the country from imported dogs, cats, and nonhuman primates. This focus on preventing disease spread to people is what makes CDC the correct choice.

Other agencies focus on different areas: for example, FDA handles drugs and medical products, EPA deals with environmental regulations, and USDA APHIS VS centers on animal health within agriculture and trade, not the primary public health import controls for pets and nonhuman primates.