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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-20-1995 - IX-A 1 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. V_- h- ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 20, 1995 SUBJECT: Presentation of Rabies Prevention Program DEPARTMENT: HEALTH PUBLIC HEARING: Yes x No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: HEALTH DIRECTOR'S OFFICE X2411 1. Program Outline. 2. What everyone should know about rabies. TELEPHONE NUMBER: 3. About Rabies. Hillsborough -732-8181 4. Rabies Cinic Posters. Chapel Hill -968-4501 5. Orange County Animal Control Mebane -227-2031 Rabies Pamphlet. Durham -688-7331 6. Proposed Animal Control Ordinance Changes re: Fee and Civil penalty schedule. (Attachments 2 -6 under separte cover) PURPOSE: To present the Rabies Prevention Program designed to counter the increased possibility of exposure to rabies due to the raccoon based rabies epidemic spreading toward Orange County and to request additional funds to cover the cost of elements of the program. BACKGROUND: During 1994 twenty eight North Carolina counties reported 175 cases of rabies in animals, including 143 raccoons. Through August 26, 1995, 41 counties reported 327 rabid animals, including 253 raccoons and 40 foxes. Closest to home are reported cases of terrestrial rabies in Granville, Wake and Moore counties while here in Orange we have found a single rabid bat. The movement of the epidemic from both the northeastern and southern counties toward the eastern piedmont indicates our need to be prepared for the arrival of terrestrial rabies in Orange County in 1996. Animal control has reviewed our own program as well as the programs of select counties and we seek the Board's support to fund our plan, which we are in the process of implementing. The following is a brief description of rabies itself- 2 2 The rabies virus is usually transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. The virus may also be transmitted through existing breaks in the skin or through the mucous membrane. Exposure does not necessarily mean disease. The percentage chance of exposure leading to disease ranges from 20% in humans to 100% in the gray fox. Incubation periods in both animals and humans are prolonged and variable ranging from 3 weeks to as long as one year, but generally are within 8 weeks. During this time the virus travels from the site of the exposure to the brain via peripheral nerves and the spinal cord. When it reaches the brain it further reproduces then usually travels from the central nervous system to the salivary gland via the nerve supply. Death follows in a few days. In any animal the first sign of disease is a change in behavior. Animals usually stop eating and drinking and may seek solitude. After 1-3 days rabid animals either show signs of paralysis or they become vicious. Raccoons become unafraid of man, are frequently aggressive and uncoordinated and are active during the day. Foxes frequently invade yards or even houses attacking dogs and people. Symptoms in bats include flying in the daytime, resting on the ground, attacking people and animals, or fighting. However, in the early stage of the disease, rabies symptoms can easily be confused with those of other diseases. For humans, the prolonged incubation period between exposure and disease provides the opportunity for post-exposure treatment against rabies. Today this involves five rabies vaccinations in the arm over a 28 day period plus one injected dose of Rabies Immune globulin. The Rabies Prevention Program is outlined in attachment#1. The first objective is to inform the people of Orange County how to avoid exposure to rabies and what to do if exposed. We plan to accomplish this by way of a two part education program. The first part is to take place in elementary and secondary schools using attachments 2 and 3. We have met with the assistant superintendents of both school systems and they are interested in our program. Part two is aimed at informing the public. Media coverage, literature distribution, bumper stickers and signs on animal control vehicles will be used. The second objective is to increase the number and percentage of vaccinated pets. The Animal Protection Society(APS) is holding rabies vaccination clinics on the last Saturday of each month at the Animal Shelter, starting in July. Animal Control is sponsoring clinics in Hillsborough and the Northern Recreation Center on the second weekend of each month starting September 8th. Vaccination compliance enforcement will be greatly enhanced if the board approves the schedule of civil penalties and redemption fee increases including the $100.00 fine for failure to vaccinate against rabies. Computer generated delinquent notices mailed to pet owners who have failed to license can be accompanied by a civil penalty if the board approves. The Animal Control staff is increasing its production of notices to vaccinate and license by setting goals and canvassing non-complaint areas. Animal Control has and will continue to increase the use of small claims court and criminal court for failure to vaccinate and license. A third objective is to improve assessment and reporting of rabies vaccination compliance. 3 3 The plan's fourth objective is to decrease the opportunities for exposure of pets by wild animals by more effective enforcement of the leash law with the higher civil penalties proposed herein. Increased trapping of wild and feral cats is a second method which will be employed. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that: 1) The Rabies Prevention Program be endorsed; 2) The attached changes to the Animal Control Ordinance regarding fines and penalties be approved; and 3) The revenue and expenditure budgets be increased by $6,600.00 to cover the additional costs of the program. i tie Attachment #1 ORANGE COUNTY RABIES PREVENTION PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT OBJECTIVE: Increase Rabies Awareness of citizens of Orange County as to: 1. How to avoid exposure. 2. What to do if exposed. Method: Two Part Education Program 1. Elementary and Secondary Schools a. class room instruction b. regular health curriculum teachers c. program developed by state of New Jersey. Includes: 1. 10 minute video 2. teacher's guide/instruction booklet 3. reproducible exercises and handouts 4. separate programs for elementary and secondary levels 5. 1-2 hours program duration 6. provided by Orange County Animal Control d. Rabies awareness/prevention pamphlet for students to take home, provided by Orange County Animal Control 2. a. Orange County Rabies Pamphlets: Put in government offices, recreation centers, health department employees, pet stores, kennels, veterinarians' offices. b. Newspapers: press releases and interviews, news stories and features. c. Radio/T.V.: WCHL and public access channel d. Animal Control vehicles: ad on back: Vaccinate Against Rabies. 5 VACCINATION COMPLIANCE AND PROTECTION COMPONENT Objective: Increase the number and percentage of vaccinated pets. Method: 1. Rabies vaccination clinics a. Shelter- last Saturday of each month starting in July. b. Animal Control-Hillsborough and Cedar Grove, second weekend of each month- starting in September. c. Southern States in Hillsborough- September 9, 1995. 2. Compliance enforcement a. Seek implementation of Board approved civil penalties($25 to $200) and redemption fees($10 to $150) and $100 for failure to vaccinate and $50 for failure to license, etc. Pending Commissioner's approval September 20, 1995. b. Computer generated delinquent notices(including citation) for failure to license. c. Increase production by Animal Control staff of notices to vaccinate and license. 1. Each Animal Control Officer sets goals as to how many notices to vaccinate and license she or he can issue and follow-up on. 2. Canvass non-compliant areas. c. Increase use of small claims court and criminal court for failure to vaccinate and license. Objective: Improve assessment and reporting of rabies vaccination compliance. Method: 1. Improve computer reports. 2. Improve computer program capabilities for: a. canvassing for non-compliance b. indexing for non-compliance Objective: Decrease opportunities for exposure of pets by wild animals. Method: 1. More effective enforcement of leash law with higher penalties. 2. Increase trapping of wild and feral cats.