Title:
The County Rabies and Zoonoses Ordinance
Summary
ACTION:
Repeal and Rescind The County Rabies and Zoonoses Ordinance
Staff Contact: Tyrone C. Wade, County Attorney
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
In May 1999, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the current Mecklenburg County Rabies and Zoonoses Ordinance. The Ordinance, as then adopted, followed the statutory requirements in place at the time. Since that time the state has revised the guidelines for handling post exposure rabies cases.
Until recently, the research strongly suggested the need for euthanasia or six-month quarantine for animals that were exposed to rabies but never vaccinated or exposed but were overdue for vaccination. There were strict requirements as to what procedure had to be followed. Recent guidance from the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) has recommended changes to the prior protocol for handling post exposure rabies cases.
In 2017 the General Assembly revised the statutes that govern post exposure management under S.L.2017-106 and removed all the language that previously required euthanasia or quarantine. The law now refers directly to the NASPHV guidance. In light of the statutory changes, the NC Division of Public Health sent health department directors a memorandum recommending they adopt the NASPHV guidance.
The County's current Ordinance is not consistent with the state statute and duplicates services. Additionally, the County will no longer need the Ordinance as currently written regarding animal holding facilities permits; licensing and records; standards as these are now covered by Dept of Agriculture rules.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A