1. (1) Terms used in this section are defined as:

   1. (a) "Animal control officer" means the same as defined in Section 11-46-102.
   2. (b) "Animal housemate" means a pet that has been a permanent resident of a household since before a rabies exposure.
   3. (c) "Incubation period" means the period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms.
   4. (d) "Lagomorph" means a hare, pika, or rabbit.
   5. (e) "Livestock" means a cow, horse, pig, or sheep.
   6. (f) "Post-exposure prophylaxis" or "PEP" means a single dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) followed by a series of rabies vaccinations that are given to prevent rabies after exposure to the rabies virus.
   7. (g) "Professional quarantine facility" means a municipal or county animal shelter or other facility under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

   8. (h) "Rabies exposure" means:

      1. (i) a bite, scratch, or any contact with the saliva or brain tissue of a rabid animal through a mucous membrane or an open cut in the skin, with the exception of a scratch from a cat, dog, or ferret; or

      2. (ii) any potential contact with a bat.

         1. (A) A potential contact with a bat includes any instance when a bat is present with an unattended child or a person who is asleep, intoxicated, or mentally impaired.
         2. (B) A bite or scratch from a bat may be too small to see or feel.
      3. (i) "Small rodent" means a chinchilla, chipmunk, gopher, guinea pig, hamster, mouse, rat, squirrel, or any similar animal.
   9. (j) "Unprovoked bite" means when an animal bites a human who was not trying to feed, pick up, pet, chase, or otherwise interact with the animal.

   10. (k) "Up-to-date" means an animal has received at least one rabies vaccine licensed in the US for that animal's species and the most recent rabies vaccine's labeled duration of immunity has not expired.

       1. (l) "Wild animal" means any mammal, excluding a cat, dog, ferret, lagomorph, livestock, or small rodent.

       2. (i) A wild animal includes:

          1. (A) a bat, bear, bobcat, coyote, fox, mountain lion, raccoon, and skunk; and
          2. (B) any offspring of a wild animal crossbred with a domestic cat or dog.
       3. (ii) "High-risk wild animal" means a bat, coyote, fox, raccoon, or skunk.
       4. (iii) "Rare, valuable, captive wild animal" means a wild animal kept in a captive, controlled environment, including a research institution, wildlife sanctuary, or zoological park.

2. (2)(a) This section is made in accordance with the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2016.

   1. (b) For any matter not specified in this section, each person or entity involved in or responding to a potential rabies exposure shall comply with the guidelines in the referenced documents.

3. (3) A physician treating an individual for rabies shall:

   1. (a) evaluate individually each exposure to possible rabies infection; and
   2. (b) consult with local or state public health officials if any question arises about the need for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

4. (4) Any person or entity responding to a potential rabies exposure shall comply with this section.

   1. (a) If a veterinarian decides an animal that was exposed to rabies displays signs or symptoms of rabies, the veterinarian shall euthanize the animal and submit the animal to UPHL for rabies testing, as described in Subsection R386-702-14(5).

      1. (i) If the euthanized animal tests positive for rabies, any human who may have been exposed to the animal during quarantine shall immediately receive PEP.
      2. (ii) If the euthanized animal tests positive for rabies, any other animal that may have been exposed during the quarantine period shall be quarantined and monitored for signs or symptoms of rabies as appropriate, based on the animal's species and vaccination status.
      3. (iii) If the euthanized animal tests negative for rabies, any exposed person does not need PEP.
   2. (b) If an owned cat, dog or ferret bites another owned cat, dog or ferret, neither the biting animal nor the bitten animal is required to be quarantined.

   3. (c) If an owned cat, dog, or ferret bites a human, the biting animal shall be quarantined for ten days, regardless of the biting animal's rabies vaccination status.

      1. (i) When a bite occurs, the owner of the biting animal or the local health department shall notify an animal control officer.

      2. (ii) A biting animal's owner may perform the ten-day quarantine at the owner's home if the owner complies with the quarantine procedures in this section. During the quarantine period:

         1. (A) the biting animal may not leave the owner's property;
         2. (B) a biting animal that is a cat or ferret shall remain indoors;
         3. (C) a biting animal that is a dog shall remain indoors as much as possible and may only go outdoors for a limited time, while leashed and supervised, for bathroom breaks;
         4. (D) the biting animal may interact with any owner as usual but may not have contact with any other person;
         5. (E) the biting animal may have contact with any normal animal housemate but may not have contact with any other animal; and
         6. (F) the owner shall monitor the biting animal closely for signs or symptoms of rabies.
      3. (iii) An animal control officer or employee shall check on the animal's status at minimum on days five and ten.
      4. (iv) A biting animal may not receive a rabies vaccine during the ten-day quarantine period.

      5. (v) At the end of the ten-day quarantine, if the animal is free of signs or symptoms of rabies:

         1. (A) the human bite victim does not need PEP; and
         2. (B) if the animal is not up-to-date on rabies vaccination, the animal's owner shall ensure that the animal is given a booster rabies vaccination under the supervision of a veterinarian as soon as possible.

      6. (vi) If a biting animal shows signs or symptoms of rabies:

         1. (A) the biting animal's owner shall report immediately to an animal control officer;
         2. (B) a veterinarian shall evaluate the biting animal; and
         3. (C) an animal control officer or the veterinarian shall immediately report signs or symptoms of rabies in the biting animal to the local health department.

   4. (d) If a vaccinated cat, dog or ferret experiences a rabies exposure, the exposed animal shall be quarantined for 45 days.

      1. (i) A wild animal that cannot be tested is assumed to be rabid.

      2. (ii) After a rabies exposure, the exposed animal's owner shall:

         1. (A) immediately notify an animal control officer;
         2. (B) immediately clean the animal's wound; and
         3. (C) ensure the animal is given a booster rabies vaccination under the supervision of a veterinarian as soon as possible.

      3. (iii)(A) To qualify for a 45-day quarantine, there must be proof that the exposed animal had been administered at least one rabies vaccine before the rabies exposure.

         1. (B) If the exposed animal is not up-to-date on rabies vaccination and the booster is not administered as soon as possible, it may be necessary to extend the quarantine beyond 45 days.

      4. (iv) The exposed animal's owner may perform the 45-day quarantine at the owner's home if the owner complies with quarantine procedures in this section. During the quarantine period:

         1. (A) the exposed animal may not leave the owner's property;
         2. (B) the exposed animal that is a cat or ferret shall remain indoors;
         3. (C) the exposed animal that is a dog shall remain indoors as much as possible and may only go outdoors for a limited time, while leashed supervised, for bathroom breaks;
         4. (D) the exposed animal may interact with any owner as usual but may not have contact with any other person;
         5. (E) the exposed animal may have contact with any normal animal housemate but may not have contact with any other animal; and
         6. (F) the owner shall monitor the exposed animal closely for signs or symptoms of rabies.

      5. (v)(A) An animal control officer or employee shall verify that before a 45-day quarantine in a home begins, any cat, dog or ferret in the household that is not the exposed animal is up-to-date on rabies vaccination.

         1. (B) If any cat, dog or ferret in the household that is not the exposed animal is not up-to-date on rabies vaccination, the owner shall ensure the animal is given a booster rabies vaccination under the supervision of a veterinarian.

      6. (vi) An animal control officer or employee shall check on the status of the exposed animal at minimum:

         1. (A) during the first week of quarantine; and
         2. (B) at the end of the 45 days.
      7. (vii) If the exposed animal does not develop signs or symptoms of rabies during the 45-day quarantine, the animal may be released after quarantine with no additional action required.

      8. (vii) If the exposed animal shows signs or symptoms of rabies:

         1. (A) the owner shall report immediately to an animal control officer;
         2. (B) a veterinarian shall evaluate the exposed animal; and
         3. (C) an animal control officer or the veterinarian shall immediately report signs or symptoms of rabies in the exposed animal to the local health department.

   5. (e)(i) If an unvaccinated cat, dog, or ferret, experiences a rabies exposure:

      1. (A) the unvaccinated, exposed cat or dog shall be quarantined for four months;
      2. (B) the unvaccinated, exposed ferret shall be quarantined for six months; or
      3. (C) the unvaccinated, exposed animal shall be euthanized.
      4. (ii) A wild animal that cannot be tested is assumed to be rabid.

      5. (iii) After an exposure, the unvaccinated, exposed animal's owner shall:

         1. (A) immediately notify an animal control officer;
         2. (B) immediately clean the animal's wound; and
         3. (C)(I) ensure the animal is given a rabies vaccination under the supervision of a veterinarian as soon as possible and no later than 96 hours after exposure.
         4. (II) If the vaccination is not administered within 96 hours of the exposure, it may be necessary to extend the quarantine beyond four or six months.

      6. (iv)(A) An animal control officer shall ensure that any quarantine for a previously unvaccinated, exposed animal is performed in a professional quarantine facility at the expense of the animal's owner.

         1. (B) If a professional quarantine facility is not available or the animal's owner chooses not to have the animal to undergo the quarantine, the owner shall ensure that the animal is euthanized.

      7. (v) The previously unvaccinated, exposed animal does not need to be tested for rabies unless:

         1. (A) a person has been exposed to the animal; or
         2. (B) the animal shows signs or symptoms of rabies.

      8. (vi) During the four- or six-month quarantine:

         1. (A) the professional quarantine facility shall ensure that the animal does not have contact with any person, including the owner, or any other animal; and
         2. (B) the facility shall monitor the animal for signs or symptoms of rabies.
         3. (C) If the animal does not develop signs or symptoms of rabies, the animal may be released after quarantine with no additional action required.
         4. (D) If the animal shows signs or symptoms of rabies, the facility shall:
         5. (I) report immediately to an animal control officer; and
         6. (II) ensure a veterinarian evaluates the animal.
         7. (III) An animal control officer or veterinarian shall immediately report signs or symptoms of rabies in the animal to the local health department.

   6. (f)(i) If a person experiences a potential rabies exposure from a stray cat, dog, or ferret, a professional quarantine facility shall:

      1. (A) quarantine the stray cat, dog, or ferret for ten days; or
      2. (B) immediately euthanize the stray cat, dog, or ferret.

      3. (ii)(A) If the stray cat, dog, or ferret is euthanized, a veterinarian or animal control officer shall submit the animal's head to UPHL for rabies testing, as described in Subsection R386-702-14(5).

         1. (B) If the euthanized animal tests negative for rabies, any exposed person does not need PEP.

   7. (g)(i) If a person has a potential rabies exposure from a wild animal, the exposed person or an attending medical professional shall notify an animal control officer immediately.

      1. (ii) A wild animal that causes a rabies exposure is not required to quarantine, as any interpretation of rabies symptoms in a wild animal is unreliable and information about the incubation period is unknown.

      2. (iii) If the exposing wild animal can be located, an animal control officer or Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) employee shall:

         1. (A) immediately euthanize the animal; and
         2. (B) submit the animal's head or intact brain to the UPHL for rabies testing, as described in Subsection R386-702-14(5).

   8. (h)(i) There is not a rabies vaccine licensed for use on a rare, valuable, captive wild animal, and any use of a rabies vaccine on one of these animals is considered extralabel use.

      1. (ii) A zoo or research institution may establish a vaccination program in an attempt to protect a rare, valuable, captive wild animal, but any such program may not conflict with appropriate public health activity that protects humans.
      2. (iii) When a rare, valuable, captive wild animal maintained in a zoological park, approved by the USDA, or a research institution, as defined by Subsection 26B-1-236(2)(a), bites or scratches a human, the zoological park or research institution shall notify the department.

      3. (iv) The department may waive requirements in Subsection R386-702-14(4)(g) if a zoological park operator or research institution manager can demonstrate rabies control measures, including that:

         1. (A) any each employee who works with the exposing animal has received pre-exposure rabies immunization; and
         2. (B) any each person bitten by the animal voluntarily agrees to receive PEP.

      4. (i)(i) The department does not recommend testing a small rodent or lagomorph for rabies unless:

         1. (A) a small rodent or lagomorph bites a human unprovoked; or
         2. (B) a small rodent or lagomorph displays neurologic signs or symptoms of rabies.
      5. (ii) A small rodent or lagomorph infected with rabies or known to transmit rabies to humans is extremely rare, and rabies response is almost never indicated for an exposure from a small rodent or lagomorph.

   9. (j) If vaccinated livestock is up-to-date on rabies vaccination and experiences a rabies exposure, the animal's owner shall:

      1. (i) immediately notify an animal control officer;
      2. (ii) ensure that the livestock is given a booster rabies vaccination immediately; and
      3. (iii) ensure that the livestock is observed for 45 days.

   10. (k)(i) If unvaccinated livestock experiences a rabies exposure, the owner shall immediately notify an animal control officer.

       1. (ii) The exposed livestock shall be:

          1. (A) quarantined by the Utah state veterinarian for six months; or
          2. (B) euthanized.

       2. (l)(i) If livestock that is overdue for a booster rabies vaccination experiences a rabies exposure, a veterinarian shall evaluate each case based on at least:

          1. (A) the severity of the exposure;
          2. (B) the amount of time since the animal's last vaccination;
          3. (C) the number of previous vaccinations;
          4. (D) the animal's current health status; and
          5. (E) local rabies epidemiology.

       3. (ii) Based on the conclusion of the evaluation in Subsection (4)(k)(i), the veterinarian shall determine whether the exposed animal shall be:

          1. (A) immediately administered a booster rabies vaccination followed by:
          2. (I) observation; or
          3. (II) a strict quarantine; or
          4. (B) euthanized.

5. (5) Any person or entity involved with specimen submission or rabies testing shall comply with this subsection.

   1. (a) A person or entity responsible for an animal that meets the testing criteria shall submit the animal to the UPHL for rabies testing.

      1. (i) An animal meets testing criteria if that animal is:

         1. (A) a bat that has exposed, or may have exposed, a human, cat, dog, or ferret;
         2. (B) a bat, dead or alive, that has been chewed by or been in the mouth of a cat, dog, or ferret;
         3. (C) a cat, dog, or ferret that shows signs or symptoms of rabies and has exposed a human, regardless of the animal's rabies vaccination status;
         4. (D) a cat, dog, or ferret that dies or is euthanized before a required ten-day quarantine is complete;
         5. (E) a stray animal that has exposed a human;
         6. (F) a wild animal that has exposed a human, cat, dog, ferret, or livestock; or
         7. (G) livestock with signs or symptoms of rabies.

      2. (ii)(A) An animal does not meet testing criteria if the animal is:

         1. (I) a bat that is believed to have been dead when a potential rabies exposure occurred, as long as any exposed human or animal did not have contact with the bat's teeth, claws, wet saliva, or nervous or brain tissue;
         2. (II) an animal that has signs of advanced decomposition, including desiccation, the presence of maggots, or a necrotic smell;
         3. (III) a wild animal, including a bat, that has not exposed a human, cat, dog, ferret, or livestock;
         4. (IV) a bird, fish, or reptile; or
         5. (V) a small rodent or lagomorph, unless prior approval from an animal control officer or a local or state health department epidemiologist is obtained for submission, as described in Subsection R386-702-14(4)(i).
         6. (B) If a person has picked up a dead bat, that instance would not generally qualify as an exposure. If a person is unsure whether a dead bat should be submitted for testing, that person may contact the department at onehealth@utah.gov or 801-538-6191 for further clarification.

   2. (b) A person who has been exposed to an animal that meets criteria for testing, as described in Subsection (5)(a), shall cooperate with an animal control officer, a local health department, a wildlife official, or a veterinarian to submit:

      1. (i) the animal's head if the animal is a bear, bobcat, cat, cougar, dog, ferret, fox, raccoon, skunk, or other similarly sized wild animal;
      2. (ii) the animal's intact brain if the animal is livestock; or
      3. (iii) the whole animal if the animal is less than 12 inches long, not including the tail.

   3. (c) A trained professional, including a veterinarian, animal control officer, or wildlife official, shall euthanize each animal humanely.

      1. (i) Any person euthanizing or decapitating an animal for testing shall perform the euthanasia or decapitation in a manner that does not destroy the cerebellum, hippocampus, or brainstem, which make up the brain structure required for testing.
      2. (ii) If possible, a person euthanizing an animal should not shoot or club the animal in the head.

   4. (d)(i) A person submitting an animal for testing shall:

      1. (A) refrigerate the animal's specimen as soon as possible after the animal's death; and
      2. (B) ship the specimen to UPHL within 24 hours.
      3. (ii) If possible, the person should avoid freezing the specimen, especially for larger animals, as a frozen specimen may delay results.
      4. (iii) If the person cannot keep the specimen refrigerated and ship the specimen within 24 hours, including during a holiday weekend, the person may freeze the specimen.
      5. (iv) A person may call the rabies virology line at 801-965-2400 for guidance about specimen storage if there is a possibility of shipment delay.

   5. (h)(i) A person may submit a live bat to UPHL if there is not a safe way to euthanize the bat.

      1. (ii) The person submitting the live bat shall label the submission container clearly to state the presence of a live bat.
      2. (iii) A person may not submit any other live animal to UPHL for rabies testing.
      3. (i) A department-designated qualified laboratory shall perform a test for rabies diagnosis in accordance with the established Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) standardized protocol, preferably the direct fluorescent antibody test.

   6. (j) The department's rabies website includes information on proper packaging and shipping of a specimen and the fee for rabies testing.

      1. (i) The fee for rabies testing applies when:

         1. (A) the submitted specimen is for a cat, dog, or ferret without signs or symptoms of rabies that exposed a person and did not complete a ten-day quarantine;
         2. (B) the submitted specimen is for a healthy cat, dog, or ferret that did not expose a person;
         3. (C) the submitted specimen is for a small rodent or lagomorph that has not received prior approval for testing as described in Subsection (5)(a)(ii)(A)(V);
         4. (D) paperwork is incomplete, including when:
         5. (I) no paperwork is submitted; and
         6. (II) submitted paperwork is missing information in a required field or a thorough description of the situation that should be attached to the test request form; or
         7. (E) a specimen is improperly transported, including when:
         8. (I) a live bat is not labeled appropriately;
         9. (II) a live bat is not securely packaged;
         10. (III) a sample is submitted without absorbent pads; or
         11. (IV) a sample arrives after business hours.

      2. (ii)(A) The fee for rabies testing shall be waived when the submitted specimen is:

         1. (I) from a bat that exposed a human, cat, dog, ferret, or livestock;
         2. (II) from a cat, dog, or ferret with signs or symptoms of rabies that exposed a person, regardless of the animal's vaccination status;
         3. (III) from an exposed cat, dog, or ferret that was without any signs or symptom of rabies but did not complete the ten-day quarantine due to severe injury or illness that required euthanasia; and
         4. (IV) from any stray animal that exposed a person;
         5. (V) from any wild animal that exposed a person, dog, cat, ferret, or livestock;
         6. (VI) from livestock with signs or symptoms of rabies; or
         7. (VII) otherwise approved by the department for a waived fee.
         8. (B) The person submitting the specimen shall document the reason for a waived fee on the test request form.
      3. (iii) A person submitting a specimen may contact the department at onehealth@utah.gov or 801-538-6191 to discuss the possibility of waiving a fee on a case-by-case basis.

      4. (iv) If a person submitting a specimen believes the department has charged an inappropriate fee for rabies testing, within 30 days of the date on the testing invoice, that person may send the department a written description of the situation and request that the department retroactively waive the fee.

         1. (A) Any mailed request for a retroactive fee waiver shall be sent to:

            Attention: One Health Epidemiologist

            Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Communicable Diseases

            PO Box 142104

            Salt Lake City, UT 84114

         2. (B) Any emailed request for a retroactive fee waiver shall be sent to epi@utah.gov and include "Attention: One Health Epidemiologist" in the subject line.

6. (6) Any person or entity involved in rabies prevention or control shall follow applicable measures in this subsection.

   1. (a) A physician or other health care provider that administers a rabies vaccine to a human shall immediately report any serious systemic neuroparalytic or anaphylactic reaction to a rabies vaccine through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
   2. (b) An animal's rabies vaccination is valid only if administered by or under the direction of a licensed veterinarian, in accordance with the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, incorporated by reference in Section R386-702-3.
   3. (c) Any county, city, town, or other political subdivision that requires licensure of an animal shall require rabies vaccination of the animal as a prerequisite to obtaining a license.

   4. (d)(i) Each agency or veterinarian administering a vaccine shall document each vaccination on the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) form number 51, Rabies Vaccination Certificate, which can be obtained from the vaccine's manufacturer.

      1. (ii) The agency or veterinarian shall provide a paper or digital copy of the information recorded in the form to the animal's owner.
   5. (e) An entity may not sell or otherwise provide an animal rabies vaccine to anyone other than a licensed veterinarian or a veterinary biologic supply firm.

7. (7) Any cat, dog or ferret in Utah shall be immunized against rabies.

   1. (a) Any cat, dog, or ferret's owner shall ensure the animal receives appropriate rabies vaccination as described in Subsection R386-702-14(6)(b).

   2. (b) The department recommends that each local government establish a program to:

      1. (i) ensure the vaccination of any dog, cat, or ferret in the local government's jurisdiction; and
      2. (ii) remove any stray or unwanted animal.

8. (8) If the department determines that a rabies outbreak is present in an area of the state, the department may require that:

   1. (a) any cat, dog, or ferret in that area or an adjacent area be vaccinated or receive a booster rabies vaccination as appropriate for each animal's age;
   2. (b) any cat, dog, or ferret's owner who does not ensure that the animal is vaccinated or receives a booster vaccination surrender the animal to the department for confinement and possible euthanasia;
   3. (c) each cat, dog, or ferret's owner maintain control of the animal's behavior and environment until the department declares the outbreak to be resolved; or
   4. (d) any cat, dog, or ferret that is not under an owner's control and is not vaccinated or has not received a booster vaccination be confined and possibly euthanized.

KEY: communicable diseases, quarantines, rabies, rules and procedures

Date of Last Change: June 1, 2026

Notice of Continuation: March 2, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26B-1-202; 26B-7-202; 26B-7-207; 26B-7-303 through 26B-7-315; 26B-7-316 through 26B-7-324