Requirement
Extra disease tests for pet travel: what it is and who requires it
Hendra, Nipah, leptospirosis and others. What a extra disease tests is, why authorities require it, and the exact requirement in every country we cover, quoted from the official source.
Updated 2026-10-12
Some routes need a test for a disease that matters in the origin region: for example Nipah virus for pets from Malaysia, or leptospirosis for dogs going to Australia.
What to watch for
- These tests have their own sample windows, often within days of departure, so book them after you know your flight.
Who requires it, and exactly how
Each entry below is taken from the country’s rule file and links to the page it comes from. Where a rule only applies to some pets or origins, the condition is shown.
- Entering
Brucella canis test (if not desexed)
Your pet is a dog
If your dog is not desexed, a negative Brucella canis test (RSAT, TAT or IFAT) on a sample taken within 45 days of export.
“Test for Brucella canis (brucellosis) within 45 days of the date of export.”
- Entering
Leishmania infantum test
Your pet is a dog
A negative Leishmania infantum test (standard quantitative IFAT or ELISA — not 'snap' tests) on a sample taken within 45 days of export.
“Test for Leishmania infantum (leishmaniosis) within 45 days of the date of export.”
- Entering
Hendra virus test (pets from Australia)
The country you travel from is in the group: Australia: its own DVS document; at least 10 clear days' quarantine and a Hendra virus test
A pet from Australia must test negative for Hendra virus (serum neutralisation test) within 14 days before export, and come from a premises with no Hendra case in the last 6 months.
“The dogs/cats have been tested for Hendra Virus using Serum Neutralization Test (SNT) at dilution 1 in 2 with negative results, within fourteen (14) days prior to export.”
- Entering
Dogs: Babesia gibsoni blood tests
Your pet is a dog and the country you travel from is in the group: Category 2: countries recognised as rabies free or Category 3: specified countries where rabies is absent or well controlled
A dog 6 months or older needs an IFA or ELISA test for Babesia gibsoni and a PCR test, both negative, on samples taken at least 14 days after the first tick and flea treatment and in the 30 days before shipment (or three negative PCR tests at least 7 days apart, the first within 44 days before shipment). A dog under 6 months needs the three PCR tests.
“A dog 6 months of age or older must be subjected to an IFA or ELISA test for Babesia gibsoni and a PCR test for Babesia spp. or Babesia gibsoni with negative results on samples taken at least 14 days after the first external parasite treatment and in the 30 days before the date of shipment; or”
- Entering
Dogs: Brucella canis (desexing certificate or a blood test)
Your pet is a dog and the country you travel from is in the group: Category 2: countries recognised as rabies free or Category 3: specified countries where rabies is absent or well controlled
A desexed dog needs a vet's desexing certificate. An entire dog (male or female) needs a signed declaration that it was not mated in the 30 days before the sample, plus a negative Brucella canis test on a sample taken in the 30 days before shipment (other rules apply if it was mated).
“A desexing certificate signed by a veterinarian must be provided to confirm that the dog has been desexed; or”
- Entering
Dogs: Leishmania infantum test
Your pet is a dog and the country you travel from is in the group: Category 2: countries recognised as rabies free or Category 3: specified countries where rabies is absent or well controlled
Every dog is tested for Leishmania infantum, with a negative result on a sample taken in the 30 days before shipment, and certified free of clinical signs in the 2 days before shipment.
“be subjected to a test for Leishmania infantum listed in MPI-STD-SAA, with negative results on a sample taken in the 30 days before the date of shipment; and”
- Entering
Dogs: Leptospirosis (Canicola) test or treatment
Your pet is a dog and the country you travel from is in the group: Category 2: countries recognised as rabies free or Category 3: specified countries where rabies is absent or well controlled
A dog tests negative for Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola on a sample taken in the 30 days before shipment (MPI recommends the test), or has a low positive result with a vaccination or a stable second test, or has had an approved course of treatment in the 30 days before shipment.
“The dog must test negative for Leptospirosis interrogans serovar Canicola in accordance with MPI-STD-SAA in the 30 days prior to shipment; or”
- Entering
Dogs: heartworm test (7 months or older)
Your pet is a dog and the country you travel from is in the group: Category 2: countries recognised as rabies free or Category 3: specified countries where rabies is absent or well controlled
A dog 7 months or older needs a negative heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) test on a sample taken in the 30 days before shipment.
“If 7 months of age or older on the date of shipment, the dog must be subjected to a test listed in MPI-STD-SAA for heartworm, with a negative result on a sample taken in the 30 days before the date of shipment; and”
- Entering
Dogs: blood tests for five diseases within 30 days of export
Your pet is a dog
Before a dog can be imported it must be certified free of Brucella canis, Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia gibsoni, Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) and Leishmania by blood tests, done within 30 days of export (the exporting country's vet authority can instead certify that the country is free of a disease). Dogs from countries not certified free of heartworm must be treated from the negative test until export, and must bring enough medication for a six-month course after arrival.
“Before dogs can be imported the dog needs to be certified free from the following five diseases by means of blood tests.”
- Entering
Nipah virus test (dogs and cats from Malaysia)
You travel from Malaysia and your pet is a dog or cat
Your pet needs a negative IgG ELISA test for Nipah virus antibodies at an approved lab, on a blood sample taken within the 10 days before departure. The official Malaysian health certificate must also confirm no contact with pigs, and no stay in a facility with Nipah virus, in the 60 days before departure.
“The blood sample for the test must be taken within the last 10 days before departure.”