Wyo. Code R. 051-0003-1
Effective Date: 05/12/2015 to Current
Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 051.0003.1.05122015
Rabies Prevention and Post Exposure Management Rules
(a) Pursuant to the authority vested in the Wyoming State Veterinarian by virtue of W.S. §11-19-103, the following Rules are hereby promulgated.
(a) The Wyoming State Veterinarian has determined that Rabies may occasionally exist in domestic animals in Wyoming, and that there is a wildlife reservoir of the disease in the state. Rabies is an infectious and contagious disease among domestic animals and certain wild animal species. The purpose of these Rules is to protect the public health, domestic animals, and their owners by establishing procedures for the Post Exposure management of Rabies through coordinated efforts between the Wyoming Department of Health and Wyoming State Veterinarian. These rules are necessary to prevent the spread of Rabies in Wyoming.
(a) If any portion of these rules is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the rules shall continue in effect.
(a) For the purposes of implementing these Rules, the following definitions apply:
(i) 'Accredited Veterinarian' means an individual who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine and is accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service in the state where he or she practices.
(ii) 'Board' means the Wyoming Livestock Board, state agency 051, whose address is 1934 Wyott Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0051, (307) 777-7515.
(iii) 'Canine' means a domesticated carnivorous mammal of the genus Canis.
(iv) 'Euthanized' means the humane ending of an animal life by, or under the direction of, a Licensed Veterinarian without physically damaging the brain.
(v) 'Expose' means contact where there is potential for Rabies transmission. This occurs anytime there is reasonable possibility of transmission of Rabies from an animal that may have Rabies as determined by public health authorities. Transmission may occur when saliva or nervous tissue is introduced into bite wounds, open cuts in skin, or into mucous membranes.
(vi) “Feline” means a domesticated carnivorous mammal of the genus Felis.
(vii) “Isolation” means placement of an animal in a cage or pen that prevents all direct contact with humans and other animals. Isolation shall be at a veterinary clinic or other facility approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian or State Health Officer or his or her authorized designee.
(viii) “Licensed Veterinarian” means an individual who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state where he or she practices.
(ix) “Mustelid” means a domesticated carnivorous mammal of the genus Mustela.
(x) “Post Exposure” means any point in time occurring after Exposure to Rabies.
(xi) “Quarantine” means an official document issued by the Wyoming State Veterinarian or his or her authorized representative that restricts the movement of specified animals and sets forth requirements regarding their testing and release. All associated Quarantine costs shall be borne by the animal owner.
(xii) “Rabies” means an acute, rhabdoviral encephalomyelitis that can affect any mammal.
(xiii) “Rabies Vaccination Certificate” means the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Rabies vaccination form (NASPHV Form #51) that can be obtained from vaccine manufacturers, or a computer-generated form containing the same information.
(xiv) “Vaccinated Animal” means any animal that has:
(A) Received an initial Rabies vaccine, approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian prior to use, at least twenty-eight (28) days ago but not more than three hundred sixty-five (365) days ago according to the manufacturer’s written instructions; or
(B) Received a booster Rabies vaccine, approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian prior to use, according to the manufacturer’s written instructions.
(xv) “Wyoming State Veterinarian” means an Accredited Veterinarian employed by the Board who serves as a veterinary official of the State authorized to supervise and perform the official animal health work of the State of Wyoming.
(a) Nothing in these rules prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting their own rules, regulations, or ordinances. If a local jurisdiction enacts its own rules, regulations, or ordinances, those rules, regulations, or ordinances shall govern if they are consistent with these rules.
(a) The management of Vaccinated Animals that have been Exposed to Rabies shall be:
(i) The animal shall be revaccinated against Rabies within forty-eight (48) hours by a Licensed Veterinarian, and
(ii) A Quarantine shall be issued by the Wyoming State Veterinarian or his or her authorized representative requiring the animal be kept under the owner's immediate control and observed for forty-five (45) days.
(A) If during the forty-five (45) days the animal shows signs of any disease, it shall be examined by a Licensed Veterinarian. If the Licensed Veterinarian determines the clinical signs are consistent with Rabies, the veterinarian shall Euthanize the animal and the brain shall be tested for Rabies at a laboratory approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian.
(B) After forty-five (45) days, the animal shall be examined by a Licensed Veterinarian for clinical signs of Rabies.
(I) If the animal is not showing any clinical signs of Rabies, and upon consultation between the Licensed Veterinarian and the Wyoming State Veterinarian, the animal shall be released from Quarantine.
(II) If the animal is showing clinical signs of Rabies, it shall be Euthanized by a licensed veterinarian and the brain shall be tested for Rabies at a laboratory approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian.
(b) The management of previously non-Rabies vaccinated Canines, Felines, Mustelids, or stray animals that have been Exposed to Rabies shall be:
(i) The animal shall be Euthanized immediately by a Licensed Veterinarian and the brain shall be tested for Rabies at a laboratory approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian.
(A) If the owner of the animal is unwilling to allow the animal to be Euthanized, the following shall apply:
(I) The animal shall be Quarantined and placed in Isolation for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days.
(1.) During the period of the Quarantine and Isolation, the animal shall be checked weekly by a Licensed Veterinarian for clinical signs of Rabies.
(a.) If the animal shows clinical signs of Rabies, it shall be Euthanized by a licensed veterinarian and the brain shall be tested for Rabies at a laboratory approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian.
(2.) All associated costs shall be borne by the owner of the animal.
(II) If after one hundred fifty (150) days the animal is not showing any clinical signs of Rabies, and upon consultation between the Licensed Veterinarian and the Wyoming State Veterinarian, preparations shall be made to release the animal from Quarantine and Isolation in thirty (30) days.
(1.) The animal shall be vaccinated for Rabies thirty (30) days prior to release.
(c) The management of previously Vaccinated Animals, with expired Rabies Vaccination Certificates, which have been Exposed to Rabies shall be:
(i) Pursuant to W.S. §11-19-101 and W.S. §11-19-103, the Wyoming State Veterinarian, in conjunction with a public health authority, shall evaluate the situation and take appropriate action based on recognized medical science. This action may include, but is not limited to, Quarantine, Isolation, Rabies vaccination or the animal being Euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.
(d) The management of other animals that have been Exposed to Rabies shall be:
(i) Pursuant to W. S. §11-19-101 and W.S. §11-19-103, the Wyoming State Veterinarian, in conjunction with a public health authority and other appropriate officials, shall evaluate the situation and take appropriate action based on recognized medical science. This action may include, but is not limited to, Quarantine, Isolation, Rabies vaccination, or the animal being Euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.
(a) The management of Vaccinated Animals that bite or otherwise possibly Expose humans to Rabies shall be:
(i) The animal shall be Quarantined for a minimum of ten (10) days.
(A) If after ten (10) days the animal shows no clinical signs of Rabies, a Licensed Veterinarian, in consultation with the State Veterinarian or State Health Officer, shall release the animal from the Quarantine.
(B) If during this time any signs of Rabies develop, the animal shall be
Euthanized by a licensed veterinarian within twenty-four (24) hours, and the brain shall be tested for Rabies at a laboratory approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian.
(C) During this ten (10)-day Quarantine period, Rabies revaccination shall not occur.
(D) All associated costs shall be borne by the owner of the animal.
(b) The management of non-Rabies vaccinated Canines, Felines, Mustelids, or stray animals that bite or otherwise possibly Expose humans to Rabies shall be as follows:
(i) The Wyoming State Veterinarian or his or her authorized representative or Designee, in conjunction with a public health authority, shall evaluate the situation including the risk to the Exposed human, and recommend one of the following courses of action:
(A) The animal shall be placed in Quarantine and Isolation and observed daily by a Licensed or Accredited Veterinarian for a minimum of ten (10) days. If during this period the animal shows clinical signs of Rabies, it shall be Euthanized by a licensed veterinarian and the brain shall be tested for Rabies at a laboratory approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian. If after ten (10) days the animal shows no clinical signs of Rabies, the animal shall be released from the Quarantine and Isolation; or
(B) The animal shall be Euthanized within twenty-four (24) hours by a Licensed Veterinarian and the brain shall be tested for Rabies at a laboratory approved by the Wyoming State Veterinarian.
(c) The management of previously Vaccinated Animals with expired Rabies Vaccination Certificates that bite or otherwise possibly Expose humans to Rabies shall be:
(i) Pursuant to W.S. §11-19-101 and W.S. §11-19-103, the Wyoming State Veterinarian, in conjunction with a public health authority, shall evaluate the situation and take appropriate action based on recognized medical science. This action may include, but is not limited to, Quarantine, Isolation, Rabies vaccination, or the animal being Euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.
(d) The management of other animals not vaccinated for Rabies that bite or otherwise possibly Expose humans to Rabies shall be:
(i) Pursuant to W. S. §11-19-101 and W. S. §11-19-103, the Wyoming State Veterinarian, in conjunction with a public health authority and other appropriate officials, shall evaluate the situation and take appropriate action based on recognized medical science. This action may include, but is not limited to, Quarantine, Isolation, Rabies vaccination, or the animal being Euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.