College Connection | Summer 2023
Reminder of recent changes to Ontario rabies legislation
College Connection | Summer 2023
Reminder of recent changes to Ontario rabies legislation
The Ontario government made changes to Ontario Regulations 557 ( Communicable Diseases ) and 567 ( Rabies Immunization ), which came into effect on July 1 , 2023 . These changes are intended to reduce the burden on owners , victims , veterinarians , and public health units .
Ontario Regulation 557 ( Communicable Diseases )
Amendments to Ontario Regulation 557 allow Medical Officers of Health to test animals for rabies that died or were euthanized during a 10-day post-exposure confinement period to prevent victims of animal bites from having to undergo post-exposure rabies vaccines . The change gives public health units the option to test , with or without the owner ’ s consent .
Impact on veterinarians
When a veterinarian has a client with an animal under a 10-day postexposure confinement , and the animal dies or is euthanized , public health requests that veterinarians emphasize to their clients that public health may need to test their animal . This occurs only when necessary .
When euthanasia of an animal in a 10- day post-exposure confinement period is recommended by a veterinarian , they should contact public health for instructions . If they cannot reach public health , and they determine euthanasia is the most humane course of action , they may euthanize the animal . The veterinarian should retain the animal ’ s body and notify their public health unit as soon as possible as rabies testing may be required .
When an animal dies or is euthanized , the OAVT Public Health Rabies Response Program ( RRP ) is contacted . They send a registered veterinary technician to collect the specimen from the animal and prepare it for shipping and testing . Collection of samples is done respectfully and only when necessary to prevent the bite victim from having to go through the post-exposure immunization series . The responsibility of proper disposal of the animal ’ s remains is with the owner and should be in compliance with local and provincial regulations .
Veterinarians are encouraged to reach out to their local public health units to build relationships that ensure the public is protected against rabies and animal owners are educated about this important disease .
Ontario Regulation 567 ( Rabies Immunization )
Immunization against rabies shall be ,
• Carried out by a veterinarian in Canada or the U . S . who is authorized to practise in the jurisdiction where the vaccine is administered , or by the authorized delegate of a veterinarian ; and
• By inoculation with a rabies vaccine that is licensed for use in the jurisdiction where it is administered and that is administered in accordance with the manufacturer ’ s instructions .
Impact on veterinarians
This change should eliminate requirements to revaccinate animals unnecessarily after they arrive in
Ontario . Animals vaccinated outside of Canada and the United States will still require reimmunization for rabies in Ontario . Valid for dogs , cats , ferrets , horses , cattle , and sheep only .
When presented with an animal from outside of Ontario , a veterinarian should confirm :
• if a licensed rabies vaccine from Canada or the U . S . was administered ,
• that the certificate of immunization meets the requirements listed in Ontario Regulation 567 , and
• the reimmunization interval .
The veterinarian can follow the Rabies Immunization Decision Tree to determine whether to carry out rabies immunization or not .
In addition , the change recognizes the authority of a Canadian or U . S . jurisdiction to allow a lawfully authorized delegate of a veterinarian to carry out rabies immunization . However , a licensed supervising veterinarian will still be required to sign rabies certificates .
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