TITLE
title
RABIES POST-EXPOSURE MANAGEMENT OF DOGS AND CATS
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SPONSOR
sponsor
Drew Brinkley
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BACKGROUND
background
Through G.S.130A-39, Powers and duties of a local board of health, Animal Services is requesting the adoption of the Model Role for Post-Exposure Management of Dogs and Cats Recommended by the NC Division of Public Health. This model rule for rabies post-exposure management of dogs and cats implements and particularize the authority given to the local health director in G.S. 130A-197 to effectively and efficiently protect the public’s health utilizing the most current science. Accordingly, the Guilford County Board of Health adopts the recommendations and guidelines for rabies post-exposure management of dogs and cats specified by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians in the 2016 edition of the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control (Part I.B.5: Post-exposure Management). These provisions of the Compendium shall be the required control measures pursuant to G.S. 130A-197.
Legislation was proposed in the General Assembly’s 2016 short session that would have amended G.S. 130-197 to adopt by reference the 2016 Rabies Compendium. However, the proposal was not introduced as a bill during the session.
Adopting this public health rule will align Guilford County’s rabies control measures with current national recommendations and guidance which should result in fewer dogs and cats euthanized, shorter quarantine periods, and more flexibility for offering owners with at-home observation of exposed pets without compromising safety of public health.
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REQUESTED ACTION
requested action
Set Public Hearing for February 23, 2017, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 130A-39(d) , to receive input and consider adoption of the Model Rule for Post-Exposure Management of Dogs and Cats Recommended by the NC Division of Public Health
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