Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Health units might demand rabies vaccination

The Ontario government has posted a proposal that would give medical officers of health the power to demand rabies vaccinations, including farm animals.

The government said” Regulation 557 establishes the responsibility for rabies cases. There exists no authority for Medical Officers of Health to order testing of deceased animals under observation, unless there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an animal is rabid.

 

“Without testing to rule out rabies, bite victims may have to undergo a publicly-funded rabies vaccination as part of the post-exposure protocol. 


Regulation 567 defines conditions for the administration of the rabies vaccine in certain animals. 


"This regulation allows for vaccination by licenced veterinarians within Ontario, animals vaccinated in other provinces, territories, or countries must be revaccinated to meet the regulation."