Rabies Exposure Guidelines - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

arranged ahead of time with the veterinary office so that the animal can be moved into a room directly and so that staff members are aware that it is under this observation period before handling it. It should not be left under the care of anyone outside the owner/keeper without prior approval from Orange County Animal Services and that approval will be considered on a case by case basis, taking all factors of the case into consideration. The Animal Control Officer monitoring the case will make contact with the owner at or around the 21- day period and again at the end of the 45-day period to make notes on the animal’s progress and determine if the animal is still with the owner and healthy. After 45 days, the Officer will notify the owner that the animal can resume normal activities without restriction. Ferrets That Have a Lapsed Vaccination Ferrets that have received a rabies vaccination in the past but do not have a current vaccination will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis as long as acceptable documentation in the form of a certificate of vaccination or other approved document can be provided. This evaluation will determine whether a 45- day observation period is acceptable or whether the ferret will be required to undergo a quarantine of six months in length or euthanasia. If appropriate documentation can be provided, the ferret must still receive a post-exposure booster vaccination within 96 hours or it will be considered unvaccinated. Ferrets That Are Unvaccinated A ferret that has never had a rabies vaccination, whose owner cannot provide proof of vaccination, or which has not received the required booster within 96 hours of exposure, must either be euthanized or quarantined at a veterinary office for a period of six (6) months at the owner’s expense. On rare occasions, a home quarantine may be permitted by Animal Services/ the Health Director and for those cases, a strict confinement of the animal will be required where the ferret has no contact with other animals or people during the quarantine. Most cases will not be permitted to have home quarantines and will be required to quarantine the animal at a veterinary establishment that allows such quarantines. [See appendix- forthcoming] Livestock The North Carolina Department of Agriculture has responsibility for rabies control and exposures dealing with livestock. Animal Services, however, will gather information about suspected livestock rabies exposures and relay that information to the Department of Agriculture when needed. Animal Services will assist the district vet from the Department of Agriculture in his or her management of the cases that require investigation and/or quarantine in Orange County. Approved by Colleen Bridger, MPH, PhD, Health Director and Robert A. Marotto, Animal Services Director March 30, 2016