In consideration of additional information the FDA is reopening the comment period for the interim final rule on the import and sale of certain animals, including African rodents and Prairie Dogs, in order to control the spread of communicable diseases such as Monkeypox.

The FDA is reopening the comment period on the interim final rule on the capture, transport, sale, barter, exchange, distribution and release of African rodents, prairie dogs, and certain other animals, which was published in the Federal Register of November 4, 2003 for the sole purpose of allowing public comment on the information, mainly peer-reviewed scientific literature, that has been added to the record.

The AVMA took this opportunity to express its position that the FDA continue to prohibit the sale, distribution, and movements of animals that carry a risk of transmitting monkeypox. It is the AVMA's belief that the restriction of importation and domestic sale and movement is vital to the protection of both animal and human health.