TITLE 310. Oklahoma State Department of Health CHAPTER 599. Zoonotic Disease Control Notice of proposed PERMANENT rulemaking
Subchapter 1. General Provisions
310:599-1-2. Definitions [AMENDED]
Subchapter 3. Rabies Control
310:599-3-1. Management of dogs, cats, or ferrets that bite a person [AMENDED]
310:599-3-2. Supervising veterinarian's responsibility [AMENDED]
310:599-3-5. Vaccinated domestic animals exposed to a rabid animal [AMENDED]
310:599-3-6. Unvaccinated domestic animals exposed to a rabid animal [AMENDED]
310:599-3-9. Administration of rabies vaccine [AMENDED]
The proposal updates the existing rules in accordance with recommendations from the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Veterinary Medical Association pertaining to animal rabies prevention and control.
The proposal will primarily update Subchapter 3, Rabies Control, to align with new scientific findings which indicate that dogs and cats with an out-of-date rabies vaccination status that are exposed to a rabid animal can be effectively managed by immediate vaccination booster and observation for 45 days similar to the method currently in place for management of currently vaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets that are exposed to a rabid animal (JAVMA, Vol 246, No. 2, January 15, 2015). It has been fifteen years since these rules were implemented; therefore, minor revisions to the regulations are also needed to update sections for alignment with current national guidance on animal rabies control and changes in animal rabies vaccine products.
With these changes, the Oklahoma State Department of Health anticipates minor cost savings for animal control departments and other persons who are charged with enforcement of the rules due to the reduced time period of observation and degree of follow up needed for dogs and cats with an overdue rabies vaccination status that are exposed to a rabid animal. Some Oklahoma pet owners will benefit from the proposal due to a reduction of emotional and financial costs because fewer dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal will be required to be euthanized or undergo a six (6) month veterinary supervised quarantine.
Oklahoma State Board of Health; Title 63 O.S. Section 1-104; Title 63 O.S. Section 1-508
October 17, 2016, through November 17, 2016. Interested persons may informally discuss the proposed rules with the contact person identified below; or may, through November 17, 2016, submit written comment to the contact person identified below; or may, at the hearing, ask to present written or oral views.
Pursuant to 75 O.S. § 303 (A), the public hearing for the proposed rulemaking in this chapter shall be on November 17, 2016, at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 Northeast Tenth Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1207, in room 1102 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Those wishing to present oral comments should be present at that time to register to speak. The hearing will close at the conclusion of those registering to speak. Interested persons may attend for the purpose of submitting data, views or concerns, orally or in writing, about the rule proposal described and summarized in this Notice.
REQUESTS FOR COMMENTS FROM BUSINESS ENTITIES: Business entities affected by these proposed rules are requested to provide the agency with information, in dollar amounts if possible, on the increase in the level of direct costs such as fees, and indirect costs such as reporting, recordkeeping, equipment, construction, labor, professional services, revenue loss, or other costs expected to be incurred by a particular entity due to compliance with the proposed rule. Business entities may submit this information in writing through November 17, 2016, to the contact person identified below.
COPIES OF PROPOSED RULES: The proposed rules may be obtained for review from the contact person identified below or via the agency website at www.health.ok.gov. Pursuant to 75 O.S., §303(D), a rule impact statement is available from the contact person identified below or via the agency website at www.health.ok.gov. Kristy Bradley, State Epidemiologist, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 N.E. 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1207; phone (405) 271-7637, e-mail KristyB@health.ok.gov
[OAR Docket #16-752; filed 9-22-16]