Russia Reports Contaminated Dog Vaccine Linked to 169 Deaths
Russian authorities said they have opened a criminal probe into forged certificates for animal vaccines that reportedly led to over 100 canine deaths. The Multican-8 vaccines in question were reportedly contaminated with fatal Aujeszky’s disease virus. The manufacturer says it is cooperating with law enforcement.
The Moscow City Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into a tainted batch of dog vaccines that allegedly caused over a hundred canine deaths in Russia during the summer. The office revealed on Tuesday that the vaccine certificates were probably forged, after a probe conducted with Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance in late September.
"Based on the investigation by the Moscow Prosecutor's Office, a criminal case has been opened for the use of a knowingly forged quality certificate for a batch of a veterinary drug," the office stated in a Telegram update on Tuesday. Interfax Russia reported that the company involved, Vetbiokhim, was cited by the office. Authorities have registered more than 300 complaints linked to medical issues following the administration of the vaccine, including fatalities.
According to The Moscow Times, at least 169 dogs succumbed after receiving the vaccine, with the majority of the cases occurring in the Yaroslavl region, which shares a border with Moscow. The outlets traced the incidents back to the Multican-8 vaccine produced by Vetbiokhim. RBC Russia noted that the vaccines were contaminated with the Aujeszky's disease virus, a deadly one. Vetbiokhim confirmed the investigation to RBC Russia but stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement authorities.
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