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Volume 32, Number 8—August 2026
Research
Qualitative Risk Assessment of Infectious Agents Associated with Canine Importation into Canada, 2023–2024
Vanessa May Leung, Jada Chiasson1, Victoria Patterson1, Anjali Narasimhan, Maureen E.C. Anderson2, Tasha Epp2, Christopher Fernandez-Prada2, Emelia Wong Gordon2, Jean-Philippe Rocheleau2, Jason W. Stull2, Margo Vachon2, Scott Weese2, and Katie M. Clow
Table 2
Guiding questions, key factors for consideration and underlying assumptions for each assessment completed in a qualitative risk assessment of infectious agents associated with canine importation into Canada, 2023–2024
| Assessment | Guiding question | Key factors for considerations | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Likelihood of entry |
What is the likelihood of entry of hazard x through an infected dog imported into Canada in the next 12 mo? |
Biologic factors including age and breed of dog as well as testing, treatment, and vaccination requirements for dog; exporting country factors including the prevalence of the hazard in country; importation factors including the quantity of dogs from specific countries |
The ban on commercial dog importation from countries considered high-risk for canine rabies does not affect the major and minor countries of importation or the volume of dogs entering Canada but does increase the proportion of dogs entering through the personal route, especially from countries impacted by the ban. Testing, treatment, and preventive healthcare will vary widely by route (i.e., commercial has higher requirements for dogs <8 mo of age), country of origin, and importer. Documentation accompanying dogs may be falsified. Therefore, no measures will be considered when conducting the entry assessment. Despite the import requirement that dogs need to appear healthy on arrival, dogs will enter Canada displaying clinical signs of disease and not be prevented entry. Imported dogs will generally be young, have come from high-density housing situations (e.g., breeding facility, shelter) or higher risk populations (e.g., street dogs) and be immunosuppressed because of the stress of travel (among other reasons). |
| Likelihood of exposure |
Canine: What is the likelihood of exposure to hazard x of >1 canine through an infected dog imported into Canada in the next 12 mo? Human: What is the likelihood of exposure to hazard x of >1 human through an infected dog imported into Canada in the next 12 mo? |
Biologic factors including incubation period, transmission period, transmission route(s) and amount of pathogen required (e.g., infectious dose); importing country factors including the presence of vector and/or intermediate host and suitability of environmental conditions |
Imported dogs are predominately intended to become household pets with high levels of contact with people and other domestic dogs; if a dog is showing clinical signs of illness, it does not mean that an animal will be appropriately handled (e.g., undergo a period of isolation, access veterinary care); not all dogs will receive veterinary care within a reasonable time period (e.g., 1 to 2 weeks) after arrival in Canada. |
| Magnitude of individual health consequences |
Canine: What is the magnitude of the impact of exposure to hazard x on an individual dog from dogs imported into Canada in the next 12 mo? Human: What is the magnitude of the impact of exposure to hazard x on an individual human from dogs imported into Canada in the next 12 mo? |
Impact of exposure to a hazard to an individual can vary considerably within a population. To conceptualize this question, consider a group of 100 individuals and envision the likely distribution of individual health consequences. |
Dogs will have access to veterinary care and their caregivers will have sufficient funds to cover diagnostic testing; persons will have access to healthcare and have sufficient funds for diagnostic testing (if required). |
| Magnitude of population health consequences | Canine: What is the magnitude of the impact of exposure to hazard x on the dog population overall in Canada from dogs imported into Canada in the next 12 mo? Human: What is the magnitude of the impact of exposure to hazard x on the human population overall in Canada from dogs imported into Canada in the next 12 mo? | Impact of exposure to a hazard at the population level focuses on the degree of canine-to-canine or human-to-human spread (household, regional, national) and the capacity of health systems to respond. The current status of the pathogen in Canada is considered the baseline level and the assessment is for the contribution of canine importation to the level of the pathogen above that baseline. | Companion animal surveillance capacity is not considered as there are minimal formalized structures in Canada aside from professional networks; appropriate animal health or public health resources will be allocated if issues arise. |
1These authors contributed equally to this article.
2These authors are members of the expert consultation group and contributed equally to this article.
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Page updated: July 09, 2026
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