Rabies Protocol

[someraco]

Hello All,

Michele asked me to respond to concerns regarding the protocol put in
place by the State pertaining to animal bites.

The protocol can be very confusing (even to me) so please don’t
hesitate to email or call me with any questions or concerns you may
have. Although rabies is generally a rare occurrence in domestic
animals, it is better to be safe than sorry. The State protocols for
dealing with possible exposure to rabies may seem strict, but, as
previously noted, rabies is a deadly disease and there is no way to
test a living being for it.

Please see below for a definition of certain words and phrases.

Definitions:

Animal Inspector: The primary duty of the Animal Inspector has
recently become rabies control in the domestic animal population. In
most cities/towns, the Animal Control Officer is also the animal
inspector.
For more info on Municipal Animal Inspectors, click here:
http://www.mass.gov/agr/animalhealth/inspectors/duties.htm

10 day Quarantine:
A 10 day quarantine is ordered when the Animal Inspector receives a
report that an animal has bitten/scratched a person or another
animal. The quarantine can be done in the owner’s home and needs to
be ordered even if all animals involved are up to date on rabies
vaccinations. The reason behind the 10 day quarantine is that,
according to epidemiologists, rabies can only be contagious if the
animal is shedding the virus at the time any wound is inflicted. The
protocol for quarantine is as follows: The animals must avoid animals
and humans that do not live in the household. The animal may not go
outdoors unattended and must be walked on a leash no longer than 6
feet. If the animal gets sick, begins to act strangely or dies (all
signs of rabies), the Animal Inspector and/or veterinarian must be
notified immediately. An Animal Inspector may order the animal
quarantined at the City kennel if they feel the animal owner is
unwilling or cannot abide by the quarantine (this is rare). At the
end of the quarantine period the Animal Inspector will observe your
animal for a moment to be sure it is not showing any signs of rabies.
Upon confirming the animal is in good health, the inspector will
release the animal from quarantine and it may resume a normal
schedule.

45 day Quarantine:
A 45 day quarantine is generally ordered when the Animal Inspector
receives a “wound of unknown origin” report from a local Veterinarian
and the animal with the wound is UP TO DATE on its rabies
vaccination. The animal should receive a rabies booster at the time
of this visit. The same protocol applies for the 45 day quarantine as
the 10 day quarantine (6 ft leash, no contact with animals/people
outside of household, inspector observation, etc.).

6 Month Quarantine:
A 6 month quarantine is generally ordered when the Animal Inspector
receives a “wound of unknown origin” report from a local Veterinarian
and the animal with the wound is NOT up to date on its rabies
vaccination. There should be no rabies booster provided to an animal
that is not up to date at the time of this visit. At the 5 month mark
of the quarantine period, the animal should receive a rabies
vaccination. The same protocol applies for the 6 month quarantine as
the 10 day/45 day quarantine (6 ft leash, no contact with animals/
people outside of household, inspector observation, etc.)

Here are a few instances where knowing the above information would
prove helpful.

Instance 1: Your animal is involved in an altercation with another
domestic animal:
If you find yourself in a situation where your animal has been in a
tussle with another domestic animal, it is advised that you exchange
information with the other animal’s owner. The reason this is advised
is because if either animal received a puncture wound or scratch of
any kind during the tussle, the animal that inflicted the injury must
be quarantined for 10 days. (see definition of 10 day quarantine
below).

Instance 2: You find that your animal is injured after a known or
unknown tussle with an animal:
Most likely you will bring your animal to your veterinarian to have
the wound checked. Your Vet will ask if you know the info of the
animal that inflicted the wound. If you do not have this information,
your Vet will, per Mass Gen Law, fill out a “wound of unknown origin”
report and send it to the Animal Inspector in the town in which you
reside. If your animal is up to date on their rabies vaccination, it
will be quarantined for 45 days (see definition of 45 day quarantine
below). If your animal is not up to date, it will be quarantined for
6 months (see definition of 6 month quarantine below). This is true
whether the animal that bit/scratched your animal is wild or
domestic.

I come across incidents like the two above almost weekly. Please
remember that getting animal control/inspectors involved is not going
to get the animals in “trouble”. Unless the animal(s) involved have a
history of being vicious or have attacked a person or animal in a
severe manner, most likely all that will come of reporting a bite or
scratch will be that an animal is quarantined.


The protocols exist to protect the health and well-being of both
animals and humans.

For more information on Rabies and protocol in Massachusetts, please
click here:
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=6&L0=Home&L1=Provider&L2=Guidelines+and+Resources&L3=Guidelines+for+Clinical+Treatment&L4=Diseases+%26+Conditions&L5=Communicable+Diseases&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_cdc_p_rabies_providers_info&csid=Eeohhs2#links

Thank you,

April Terrio
Animal Control Officer
City of Somerville