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Three people bitten by rabid dog Three people bitten by rabid dog
(30 minutes later)
Three people are being treated for exposure to rabies after being bitten by an infected puppy which was in quarantine.Three people are being treated for exposure to rabies after being bitten by an infected puppy which was in quarantine.
The puppy had been brought to the UK from Sri Lanka, the Health Protection Agency said.The puppy had been brought to the UK from Sri Lanka, the Health Protection Agency said.
The people bitten were at the centre where it was being held and are being vaccinated against the disease. The people bitten were at the centre, thought to be in Chingford, Essex, and are being vaccinated.
The dog died whilst in quarantine, and this contained any public health risk, officials said.The dog died whilst in quarantine, and this contained any public health risk, officials said.
The dog had been held in the licensed quarantine premises since 18 April, and died on Friday.
Other animals that may have come into contact with the puppy are now being checked, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.
But it stressed that the likelihood of further infections was "highly unlikely" and the UK remained "free of rabies" because the case had occurred in quarantine.
'System working'
Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Alick Simmons said: "While initial tests show that this puppy has tested positive for rabies, this shows that the system is working and the case has been picked up while the animal is in quarantine.
"We are now tracing animals that have moved from the kennels to ensure that all animals that have come into contact with the puppy are monitored."
The location of the quarantine premises has been given by officials only as the South East, but Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith said he had been told it was in his Chingford and Woodford Green constituency in Essex.
He said he had received a call on Friday evening from environment minister Lord Rooker.
He said: "Naturally, I am very concerned about the welfare of the staff who have been affected.
"I was assured by the minister that the situation is under control."