(a) Section 3701-3-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code requires all animal bites to be reported to the local health department.
(b) When a report of a bite is received, fill out the “Animal Bite” card as completely as possible. Along with the type of animal, also get a description, i.e. long haired, brown and white toy terrier. If the rabies tag number is available, make certain the expiration date is obtained. Note the location the animal is being kept. Also note if the bite occurred off the owners premises. If the animal is at home, it must be quarantined. If it is going to the animal shelter, or if it was picked up by the Animal Warden, the animal must stay confined at the shelter for the remainder of the quarantine period. The owner will be charged the kennel fee established by the Franklin County Animal Control Department. The animal will not be released until permission is given by the health department, and is currently up to date on rabies vaccination.
(c) Stray Animals: If the whereabouts of the animal are not known, get as complete a description as possible. Fill out stray animal form and give to Administrative Secretary. This information is mailed to the media in order to get the information on the air. It is the decision of the bitten party’s physician as to the steps to be taken to ensure their safety.
(d) Animals on Home Quarantine: Sanitarians will fill out quarantine form with the yellow copy going to Animal Control, the pink copy is attached to the animal bite card and the white copy goes to the owner of the animal. If personal contact is not made with the owner, the sanitarian must follow-up with a phone call.
(e) At the end of confinement (ten days from the date of the bite), either a representative of the health department or certified veterinarian must see the animal. Proof of rabies vaccination must be obtained prior to release from quarantine. Animals may not receive any vaccinations or medications during quarantine without permission of the Health Commissioner. Should this occur, confinement time may be extended a minimum of thirty days. The bitten party is to be notified that we cannot determine if the animal is free of rabies.
(f) The Sanitarian will call the bitten party after the animal is released from quarantine, and report the condition of the animal. If the bitten party’s physician feels post- exposure shots are indicated, the physician shall write a prescription and call the Franklin County Board of Health’s Nursing Director. A purchase order is then obtained from the Franklin County Commissioners. The serum is obtained from the Ohio State University (paid for by the county commissioners). The bitten party then brings in the prescription and picks up the serum. This service is available to any resident of Franklin County.
(g) If the animal was sacrificed at the Franklin County Animal Shelter, the head is picked up by the Sanitarian. The Sanitarian is to sign the Franklin County Animal Control Department records. A lab slip is filled out and the head is taken to the Ohio Department of Health Laboratory. (See Head Removal Procedure). After the brains have been analyzed, the lab calls this department with the results and returns the analysis form. The animal bite card is pulled, the results are recorded, and the bitten party is notified with a phone call. The date and time of the phone call is recorded on the animal bite card. The results are then logged into the computer. The card is then placed in the permanent file under the owner’s last name. If the animal is a stray or wild, file card under the bitten party’s name.
(h) Any wild, feral, or exotic animals involved in a human bite must be sacrificed immediately, and the head submitted to the lab for analysis.
(i) If the animal demonstrates any clinical signs of rabies, (i.e. limping, rejection of food or water, mood change, unexplained behavior changes, etc.) the animal should be sacrificed for lab analysis. The bitten party is given recommendations to begin post-exposure shots. Series can be stopped if analysis result is negative.
(j) If the animal is killed or dies during quarantine, the brains must be submitted to the lab for analysis. If the animal “disappears”, the bitten party must be notified and advised to confer with their physician regarding post-exposure shots.
(k) If the bitten party has been bitten by a bat or skunk, shots should begin immediately if the animal cannot be checked.
(Res. 07-94. Passed 4-21-94.)