PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-100-191 Animals, birds, pets -- Measures to prevent human disease, 246-100-201 Birds -- Measures to prevent psittacosis, and a possible new section specifically addressing rabies.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.20.050 Powers and duties of state board of health -- State public health report -- Delegation of authority -- Enforcement of rules. RCW 16.70.040(1), Control of pet animals infected with diseases communicable to humans, rules -- Scope.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The state board of health is considering revising rules regarding prevention and control of human cases of psittacosis and other diseases transmissible from animals to humans to reflect current standards of practice. A new section specifically addressing rabies is being considered. The rules focus on environmental factors and controls, not human case tracking and management.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: A representative of the department of agriculture and the department of fish and wildlife will be included in the workgroup to modify the rules. All rule modifications will be consistent with federal Food and Drug Administration rules and regulations.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making, an ad hoc workgroup to develop the draft rule will be created through the zoonotic disease advisory committee with representatives invited from local health jurisdictions, department of agriculture, department of fish and wildlife, academia, pet breeders and retailers, veterinary medicine, the general public, and other interested parties.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Dorothy Tibbetts, Zoonotics Program Manager, (360) 236-3361 or Ned Therien, Washington State Board of Health, Health Policy Analyst, (360) 236-4103.
April 26, 2007
Craig McLaughlin
Executive Director