college connection
PUBLIC HEALTH - RABIES
OAVT PUBLIC HEALTH RABIES RESPONSE PROGRAM
By Kristina Cooper, RVT
2.
In April 2014 significant changes occurred
to the role the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA) played in rabies surveillance in
Canada. With the changes, Ontario designed
a plan to facilitate rabies surveillance.
PHU contacts the OAVT RRP and
submits a request for rabies specimen
collection/shipping.
3.
RRP staff prepare all laboratory and
shipping documents needed for the
specimen and arranges shipment.
Who is responsible?
4.
RRP dispatches a RRP RVT to the
collection location which may be a
veterinary hospital, animal shelter, zoo,
farm or private residence.
5.
RRP RVT collects the specimen and
packages it following the Transportation
of Dangerous Goods Regulations before
shipping it to the CFIA laboratories.
6.
Once testing is completed the results are
returned to the PHU who in turn notifies
those involved in the case.
The collection and shipment of specimens
has been divided between three ministries,
based on the animal type and exposure.
• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Careanimal exposures involving humans
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food
and Rural Affairs- animal exposures not
involving humans
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestrysick wildlife with no human or animal
exposure
Rabies specimen testing
Approximately 80% of rabies specimens
tested at the CFIA involved human exposure
(bites, scratches and saliva exposure to open
wounds or mucous membranes). To continue
to provide rabies surveillance services in
Ontario, the Rabies Response Program (RRP)
was established. The RRP is responsible for
training and contracting Registered Veterinary
Technicians (RVTs) to do specimen collection
and shipping for 36 Public Health Units (PHU).
The Rabies Response Program
1.
Human exposure occurs and is reported
to the local PHU. PHU investigates the
case to determine if a Direct Fluorescent
Antibody Test (FAT) is required for rabies.
Tips for veterinary teams
• Report bites, scratches and saliva contact
with open wounds or mucous membranes
to your public health unit, including those to
veterinary staff, even if the animal is current
on rabies vaccination.
• Once deceased, position the animal with
the neck extended back, and the legs
placed caudally against the chest. Place
the animal in the refrigerator or freezer until
contacted by the RRP. The RRP will provide
the RRP RVT name and collection date.
• Disposal can be completed after
collection (e.g. cremation, burial following
municipal regulations) prior to receiving
test results. Large animals cannot be sent
for deadstock until a negative result is
returned.
• When collection is complete, ensure the
bag with the animal’s remains is labelled
“rabies specimen” to alert crematorium
staff how to properly handle the body. The
disposal of remains is the responsibility
of the animal owner. The RRP does not
dispose of remains.
• Encourage your RVTs to participate in
the RRP. Having a trained RVT onsite will
increase the efficiency of the process for
the public. RRP collections are completed
outside of the RVTs regular commitments
and compensated by the OAVT.
Kristina Cooper is a Registered Veterinary
Technician and the Provincial Manager of
the OAVT Public Health Rabies Response
Program. For more information about the
OAVT RRP visit www.oavtrrp.com or email
[email protected]
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