Malawi

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. Firstly, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Secondly, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Although it is not required, your pet should be identified with a 15-digitwhich is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 or another form of identification (tattoo, tag ID, etc.) prior to entering Malawi. Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.

All cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Malawi. The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin: a rabies certificatea government-issued vaccination booklet oran EU Pet Passport Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia. Veterinarians must record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination country.

A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination. A rabies titer test for cats and dogs entering Malawi from any country is not required. However, all pets originating incountries classified as having a high risk of rabiesshould travel with a rabies titer test. In addition, the World Organization of Animal Health classifies Malawi as a high-rabies risk country. As such, if your pet will be returning to the origin country, this test may be required. Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.

According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered by your veterinarian prior to entering Malawi. The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are recommended, but not required. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.

Malawi requires an import permit from the Director of Animal Health unless your dog or cat is entering from the following SADC member nations: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland or Zimbabwe. Visitors should apply well ahead of their visit for a permit to bring their pet into Malawi. An agent can facilitate the application process. Following receipt of the completed Import Application form, a Veterinary Import Permit will be issued and sent directly to importers. The permit is good for 6 months from date of issuance.

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate for live animals entering their country. The certificate (sometimes known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) should include the following information: details of your pet andvaccinations and treatments andveterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export. Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate depending on the country of origin. A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate within 7 days of entry. Related: A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.