Rabies In Austria: Is It A Concern?

Austria has been designated a rabies-free jurisdiction, with no recorded cases of rabies in Austrian domestic and wild animals since 1995. However, there have been rare exceptions, such as the case of an Austrian man who contracted rabies after being bitten by a dog in Morocco in 2004. This was the first case of rabies diagnosed and treated in Austria since 1979. To maintain their rabies-free status, Austria has strict requirements for pet owners, including microchipping and rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets.

Austria's rabies-free status

Austria has been rabies-free since the 1990s, with rare exceptions. The country's official rabies vaccination policy has ensured that Austrian domestic and wild animals have been free of the disease since 1995. However, there have been occasional incursions of rabid foxes immigrating from neighbouring countries, which can transmit rabies to other animals within Austria.

To maintain its rabies-free status, Austria has implemented several measures. All dogs kept in the country must be microchipped, and their owners are responsible for ensuring their registration in the Austrian public database. Additionally, Austria requires that dogs, cats, and ferrets entering the country from another EU member state have a pet passport and a microchip. For animals over three months old, the pet passport must include details of an approved vaccination against rabies and any booster shots. A "primary" rabies vaccination is only valid for one year, and if not boosted within that time, the vaccination process must start again. There is also a 21-day waiting period after any "primary" rabies vaccination before the animal can enter Austria.

Austria's efforts to prevent the spread of rabies are not limited to domestic animals. Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, and rodents are also subject to specific regulations when entering the country. These measures ensure that Austria maintains its rabies-free status and protects both its human and animal populations from this deadly disease.

Rabies vaccination for pets entering Austria

Austria is one of several countries in Europe designated as rabies-free. However, there are still requirements for pets entering the country. Here is a guide to rabies vaccination for pets entering Austria:

Microchipping

The first step to prepare your dog, cat, or ferret to enter Austria from any country is to have your pet microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit pet microchip. This should be implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse, and you should receive documentation about the manufacturer of the microchip. A tattoo is also an acceptable form of identification as long as it was given before 3 July 2011, is clearly visible, your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied, and all rabies vaccinations have been administered before previous vaccinations expired.

Rabies Vaccination

All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Austria must have proof of a current rabies vaccination that was administered after the microchip was implanted. If your pet is entering Austria from a Listed Third Country, the primary rabies vaccination must be administered no sooner than 21 days before entering Austria. There is no waiting period after booster vaccinations as long as the previous vaccination was administered after microchipping and the booster vaccination was administered before the previous vaccination expired. Austria does honor the 3-year rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but it should only be administered as a booster, not a primary vaccination.

Rabies Titer Test

If your pet is entering Austria from an Unlisted Third Country or has visited an Unlisted Third Country in the previous 4 months, your pet must have a rabies titer test (FAVN) administered by your veterinarian. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories, and your pet can enter Austria no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn to avoid quarantine.

Health Certificate

The type of EU pet health certificate depends on whether your pet's transport is commercial or non-commercial. For non-commercial transport, the pet owner or legal representative must be traveling with or within 5 days of the pet, and the transport must not involve the purchase, sale, adoption, or transfer of ownership of the pet. A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the non-commercial EU pet health certificate for Austria, and it must be endorsed by a government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival. For commercial transport, the owner or legal representative is not traveling with or within 5 days of the pet, or the transport involves the sale, adoption, or transfer of ownership of the pet. A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the commercial EU pet health certificate, and it must be issued and endorsed within 48 hours of travel by a government veterinarian.

Entering Austria by Air

Pets entering Austria by air from non-EU countries must do so at Border Inspection Posts at the International Airport in Linz or Vienna. They may arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo. If your pet transits another EU Member State on the way to Austria, it must have an endorsed transit pet health certificate unless your pet does not disembark the aircraft. If your pet transits an Unlisted Third Country on the way to Austria, it will need an endorsed transit pet health certificate and a rabies titer test administered a minimum of 3 months prior if flying as air cargo.

Microchipping requirements for pets in Austria

Austria is a rabies-free country, and the government has strict requirements for importing pets to keep it that way. Here is a detailed overview of the microchipping requirements for pets in Austria:

In Austria, microchipping is mandatory for dogs, cats, and ferrets. All dogs, cats, and ferrets entering or living in Austria must be implanted with a microchip that complies with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785. The microchip must be implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse before administering the rabies vaccine. The cost of microchipping in Europe typically ranges from €25 to €100.

If your pet already has a microchip that does not have 15 digits, you can bring your own microchip scanner to Austria. The microchip code must be registered in the pet's passport or health certificate.

For pets under 12 weeks of age, a microchip is required for entry into Austria, along with a pet passport and a clearance certificate confirming no contact with wild animals and that the mother was vaccinated against rabies before giving birth.

Rabies Vaccination Requirements:

All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Austria must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered after the microchip implantation. If entering from a Listed Third Country, the primary rabies vaccination must be given no sooner than 21 days before entering Austria.

There is no waiting period after booster vaccinations if the previous vaccination was given after microchipping, and the booster was given before the previous vaccination expired. Austria honours the 3-year rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets, but only as a booster and not as a primary vaccination.

Other Requirements for Importing Pets to Austria:

When importing pets to Austria, you must also comply with additional requirements, including health certificates, age restrictions, and specific entry points.

A veterinary health certificate is required for pets entering Austria from non-EU countries. The certificate should be written in English or German and verify that your pet has received all necessary vaccinations within the last year.

Additionally, there is an age restriction for importing pets to Austria. Puppies and kittens under three months of age cannot be vaccinated against rabies and are therefore only allowed to enter from another EU member state or a rabies-controlled country. The minimum age for entry from high-rabies countries is seven months.

Furthermore, when entering Austria with pets, you can only use specific border crossings: Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz-Thalerhof, and Klagenfurt.

Pet Registration and Documentation:

All dogs over three months of age must be registered with the responsible authority in Austria, and dog owners are generally required to pay a dog tax. In some municipalities, dog owners receive a dog tag after paying the tax, and wearing the tag may be mandatory in public spaces.

Additionally, all dogs, cats, and ferrets in Austria must have an EU Pet Passport issued by an EU veterinarian. This passport contains all the details of the animal and ownership and facilitates travel within Europe.

Pet Transport Requirements:

When transporting pets to Austria, specific requirements must be met, depending on the mode of transport. For car travel, a transport box or strapping animals down in case of an accident is usually necessary. For train travel, regulations vary but typically involve using a pet container for smaller animals and a muzzle and lead for larger ones.

For air travel, each airline has different rules, but all European airlines must follow the carriage rules for animals established by the IATA (International Air Transport Association). A pet container for air travel must provide adequate space for the animal to stand, turn, and lie down, have ventilation and a leak-proof floor, and contain food and water containers with outside access.

Quarantine Requirements:

As long as all the entry requirements are met, including microchipping and rabies vaccination, your pet will not need to be quarantined upon arrival in Austria.

Other Pet Ownership Requirements in Austria:

Austria has strict laws and regulations regarding pet ownership, including mandatory muzzle and leash requirements in crowded public places and certain breed restrictions. Dog owners of specific breeds considered dangerous must pass the Vienna Dog License exam to ensure they can handle their dogs safely.

Additionally, all dogs must be registered and pay an annual dog tax, which is €72 for the first dog and €105 for each additional dog.

Austria is a pet-friendly country, but it is essential to comply with all the microchipping, vaccination, and documentation requirements to ensure a smooth transition when importing your pets.

The rabies situation in neighbouring countries

Austria was declared free of terrestrial rabies in 2008. However, in 2023, cases of rabies were detected in its neighbouring countries, Hungary and Slovakia, which were likely brought in by rabid animals from Ukraine, where the disease is endemic.

Hungary

Hungary is one of Austria's neighbours that detected cases of rabies in 2023. The country has experienced previous outbreaks of the disease, with a few reported human deaths from rabies between 1981 and 2005. The World Organisation for Animal Health declared Hungary free of the disease in 2008. However, isolated cases involving smuggled pets from Africa and infected animals from neighbouring countries have occurred since then.

Slovakia

Slovakia is another neighbouring country of Austria that detected rabies cases in 2023, likely originating from Ukraine. There is limited information on the current rabies situation in Slovakia.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic borders Austria and has been designated as a rabies-free jurisdiction. However, as a precautionary measure, the country maintains surveillance and prevention programmes to mitigate the risk of rabies transmission.

Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Slovenia

Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia are additional neighbouring countries of Austria. All four nations have been declared rabies-free jurisdictions and have implemented effective control measures to eradicate the disease. Switzerland, for example, successfully controlled a rabies epidemic in the 1960s by baiting foxes with chicken heads laced with vaccines. Germany actively monitors and controls rabies, with the last reported human death occurring in 2005. Italy has also been free of rabies for many years, thanks to strict regulations and preventative measures. Slovenia, on the other hand, experienced a rabies outbreak in 2022, which was addressed through vaccination campaigns and routine animal vaccination.

The history of rabies in Austria

1900s

The circulation of the rabies virus in the Austrian dog population was eliminated by 1950.

1979

The last human death from rabies in Austria occurred when a person died from rabies transmitted by a wild fox in Carinthia.

1995

Thanks to official rabies vaccination policies, Austrian domestic and wild animals were free of rabies, with rare exceptions.

2002

An outbreak of rabies occurred in Carinthia due to the immigration of foxes from Slovenia.

2004

A man died in Austria from rabies after being bitten by a rabid dog in Morocco. This was the first case of rabies diagnosed and treated in the country since 1979.

2006

The last time a fox was diagnosed with rabies in Austria. However, it was later discovered to be a vaccine virus ingested by young animals in the form of vaccine baits.

2008

Austria was declared free of terrestrial rabies, i.e., rabies in animals living on land.

2012

Oral vaccination of the fox population was discontinued.

2023

Bat rabies was confirmed for the first time in a broad-winged bat in Austria. However, transmission of bat rabies to other animal species or humans is extremely rare and has not been detected in the country to date.

Today, Austria is considered a rabies-free jurisdiction, and the disease is not endemic in the country. However, neighbouring countries like Hungary and Slovakia reported cases of terrestrial rabies in 2023, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance.

Frequently asked questions