Appalachian District Health Department

Policy and Procedure Policy Name Clinical Protocols and Procedures Policy Topic Rabies Prevention and Control

Section 500

Approved Date: 9-7-07

Chapter 517

Revised Date: 8-13-12

Purpose: The Appalachian District Health Department (ADHD) in cooperation with the Ashe, Alleghany and Watauga County Departments of Animal Control will follow the North Carolina Manual for Rabies Prevention and Animal Bite Management as well as the North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 130A: Rabies, in an effort to control and/or treat potential rabies exposure. Policy: Follow the guidelines according to the North Carolina Manual for Rabies Prevention and Animal Bite Management, the North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 130 A: Rabies, and the Appalachian District Health Department procedures. Procedure: The responsibility of the Local Health Department will consist of: 1. ADHD will investigate all reported animal bites to humans regarding the potential exposure to rabies. 2. ADHD will assist providers with recommending rabies post exposure vaccination as indicated based on risk of exposure. 3. ADHD will consult with the state Communicable Disease Branch for the approval of any surveillance animals or low risk animals for submission for testing or for any question regarding testing of animals or exposure risk to humans. 4. ADHD will administer post-exposure treatment to patients without a funding source who qualify for state vaccine. (See NC Manual for Rabies Prevention and Animal Bite Management) 5.

ADHD will administer post-exposure treatment to all active Primary Care or clinic patients (patients seen within the last three years). Patients with a primary care provider will be referred to their private physician. Patients other than described in #4 and #5 will be referred to the local Emergency Department for treatment.

6.

ADHD will consult with the Communicable Disease Branch is there is any question regarding recommendations or post-exposure treatment for an exposure.

7. ADHD will notify the Department of Animal Control of any reports of dog or cat bites to humans if report comes to the department initially. 1|Clinical Protocols and Procedures – Rabies Prevention and Control

Appalachian District Health Department

Policy and Procedure Policy Name Clinical Protocols and Procedures Policy Topic Rabies Prevention and Control

Section 500

Approved Date: 9-7-07

Chapter 517

Revised Date: 8-13-12

8. The Appalachian District Health Department will provide any press releases needed to find persons who may have had an exposure to a rabid or potentially rabid animal. The responsibility of the Department of Animal Control as it relates to animal bites and potential rabies exposure: 1. Animal Control will notify the County Health Department of any animal bite exposure or non-bite exposure to a human. The report is to include name of patient, phone number and address and date of incident. 2. If the incident occurs after-hours or on the week-end, notify the communicable disease nurse the next working day. The emergency after hour on call system or contact to Communicable Disease nurse will only be used for emergencies that can not wait until working hours. 3. Animal control will notify the person who was bitten that they will be contacted by the County Health Department. The Animal Control officer does not initiate the rabies exposure investigation. 4. Animal Control will consult with the County Health Department for prior approval of submission for testing of surveillance animals or low risk animals. 5. Consult with the County Health Department for euthanasia of a dog or cat that has bitten a person if the dog or cat is badly wounded, diseased or suffering during the quarantine period. For emergent situations where the animal is suffering immediately, the Animal Control officer may use his judgment on euthanasia of the animal and then notify the Appalachian District Health Department as soon as possible. 6. The location for confinement or quarantine of an unvaccinated dog or cat that has bitten a person will be the Department of Animal Control, animal shelter or the animal’s veterinarian at the owner’s cost. 7. The department of Animal Control may authorize a 10 day home quarantine, for a dog or cat that has bitten a person if the animal’s rabies vaccination status is up-to-date. The owner of the animal will assume liability and responsibility for the animal while it is under home quarantine.

2|Clinical Protocols and Procedures – Rabies Prevention and Control

Appalachian District Health Department

Policy and Procedure Policy Name Clinical Protocols and Procedures Policy Topic Rabies Prevention and Control

Section 500

Approved Date: 9-7-07

Chapter 517

Revised Date: 8-13-12

3|Clinical Protocols and Procedures – Rabies Prevention and Control