https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/3048478d-e29a-4eec-9c70-ed595ffab019 Help us preserve, scan and post more rare and endangered films on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddem5RlB3bQe99wyY49g0g/join Website: www.PeriscopeFilm.com "The Rabies Threat" (1973) was produced by the Australian Department of Health and details the dangers of the animal disease rabies and the work of the Animal Quarantine Service to prevent its entry into Australia. Rabies, a virus naturally found in wild animals, can spread to domestic pets and humans, often with fatal consequences. While vaccination exists, it is not always effective and treatment after exposure is unpleasant and risky. The documentary emphasizes how quickly rabies spread through Europe in the 20th century and presents a sobering scenario of the economic and environmental consequences if it reached Australia, particularly in relation to the livestock industry. Strict animal importation laws and quarantine procedures are shown as necessary safeguards to protect the nation. Ultimately, the film warns that even a single case of rabies could irreversibly alter Australian life, making strict prevention not just reasonable, but essential. 0:00 – Introduction and main titles – Rabies dates back to Aristotle (500 BC). Known in humans as hydrophobia. In 1831, the British drafted a bill to prevent its spread. 1:54 – Wild animals are natural carriers of rabies. Domestic pets can contract the disease from wildlife. 2:06 – In 1866, royal deer in England were affected. Between 1911 and 1930, hundreds died in England from rabies. The disease spread across Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Germany, and France during the 1940s to 1960s. 3:15 – If rabies entered Australia, it would impact native wildlife. The infection could pass undetected from wild animals to pets and then to humans. 4:05 – In countries with rabies, the disease is a constant, unseen threat. 4:26 – Vaccination is not a complete solution. Post-bite treatment is available but unpleasant and can cause side effects. 5:08 – In Central and South America, vampire bats transmit rabies to cattle, killing hundreds of thousands annually. Australia’s fruit bats could pose a similar risk if rabies were introduced. The disease would have serious economic consequences. 6:12 – Rabies would impact meat availability in Australia. Much of the country’s meat could end up destroyed rather than consumed. Livestock are a critical economic resource. 6:53 – Human deaths would be limited, but the number of painful vaccinations required would be enormous. 6:53 – Australia enforces strict importation laws for animals. Between 1922 and 1969, pets were allowed from the UK. After a 1969 outbreak in England, Australia introduced tighter restrictions. 7:25 – These strict import conditions are necessary and not excessive. They are seen as humane and logical. 8:14 – An individual attempting to smuggle a pet into Australia may seem harmless, but that act could have devastating consequences for the entire country. 9:01 – Quarantine procedures include thorough examinations for incoming pets. Their health and well-being are monitored during their stay. Families often send toys or personal items to comfort their animals. 10:48 – If an animal dies in quarantine, brain samples are tested microscopically and through mouse inoculation. Confirming rabies can take several weeks. 11:53 – A brief interlude featuring a dog grooming appointment emphasizes the cultural affection Australians have for their pets. 12:38 – Australians have strong bonds with their animals. At present, no Australian pet gravestones mention rabies. 13:00 – In the 1860s, four possible cases of rabies were reported in Tasmania. One boy died after being bitten by a neighbor’s dog, displaying classic rabies symptoms. 13:23 – Though rare, one incident is enough to change everything. A rabies outbreak would be both a public health and economic disaster. Every animal could carry the invisible threat. The risk is too high to take chances. Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPeC_9UxT6c Mirrored from Periscope Film (https://www.youtube.com/@PeriscopeFilm) Sun, 14 Jun 2026 05:32:33 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://peertube.dngr.us https://peertube.dngr.us/lazy-static/avatars/41a6fee9-7f57-42d0-a5fc-5db4f1af2e31.png https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/3048478d-e29a-4eec-9c70-ed595ffab019 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://peertube.dngr.us/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.