Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2012.

     Purpose: WAC 246-100-191, 246-100-192, 246-100-197, and 246-100-201, rules pertaining to zoonotic diseases. The purpose of the rule is to reflect current federal and other state agency laws and rules, and national standards of practice designed to prevent and control human cases of psittacosis, rabies, and other diseases transmissible from animals to humans. The rules focus on environmental factors and controls to prevent and control zoonotic disease outbreaks.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-100-191 and 246-100-201.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.20.050 and 16.70.040(1).

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 10-20-146 on October 5, 2010.

     A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Ted Dale, P.O. Box 47825, Olympia, WA 98504-7825, phone (360) 236-3322, fax (360) 236-2261, e-mail Ted.Dale@DOH.WA.GOV.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 2, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 2, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 2, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: November 10, 2010.

Craig McLaughlin

Executive Director

OTS-3567.4

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 124B, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91)

WAC 246-100-191   Animals((, birds, pets)) -- General measures to prevent human disease.   (1) ((All persons and entities are prohibited from:

     (a) Sale of milk, meat, hides, and hair from animals infected with anthrax; and

     (b) Sale and display of turtles except as permitted under Title 21 CFR, Food and Drug Administration, part 1240.62, 1986.

     (2) Except for bonafide public or private zoological parks, persons and entities are prohibited from:

     (a) Importing into Washington state any bat, skunk, fox, raccoon, or coyote without a permit from the director of the Washington state department of agriculture, as required in WAC 16-54-125; and

     (b) Acquiring, selling, bartering, exchanging, giving, purchasing, or trapping for retention as pets or for export any:

     (i) Bat,

     (ii) Skunk,

     (iii) Fox,

     (iv) Raccoon, and

     (v) Coyote.

     (3) Local health officers shall determine whether or not to order the destroying or testing of animals other than cats and dogs if:

     (a) The animal has bitten or otherwise exposed a person, and

     (b) Rabies is suspected.

     (4) When an animal has bitten or otherwise exposed a person, the local health officer shall institute any or all of the following as judged appropriate:

     (a) Order testing and destruction of the animal,

     (b) Order restriction of dogs and cats for ten days observation,

     (c) Require examination and recommendation by a veterinarian related to signs of rabies, or

     (d) Specify other appropriate actions for animals considered low risk for rabies.

     (5) When an animal other than a bat is found to be rabid, the local health officer shall immediately institute a community-wide rabies control program including:

     (a) Issuance of orders to pick up and impound all stray and unlicensed dogs and cats,

     (b) Issuance of orders to owners of dogs and cats requiring proof of rabies vaccination of animals by a veterinarian within six previous months,

     (c) Restriction of household mammals to owners' premises except when on a leash, or

     (d) Institute actions other than subsection (5)(a), (b), and (c) of this section when judged appropriate.

     (6) A person destroying an animal as described in this section shall:

     (a) Avoid damaging the brain; and

     (b) Transport the dead animal's head, brain, or body in a manner approved by the local health department.

     (7) To improve surveillance for rabies, laboratories shall inform the local health officer prior to testing specimens and samples for rabies.

     (8) When a cat or dog has been bitten or exposed to a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the local health officer shall require:

     (a) Destruction of the exposed animal; or

     (b) Revaccination, if currently vaccinated, including observation by owner for ninety days; or

     (c) If not currently vaccinated, vaccination and strict isolation for six months with revaccination one month prior to release from isolation; or

     (d) Any other action judged appropriate by the local health officer.

     (9) A person importing a dog and/or a cat into Washington state shall comply with WAC 16-54-120.)) The purpose of this rule is to protect the public from acquiring diseases transmissible by animals and animal products.

     (2) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

     (a) "Carapace" means a hard bony outer covering, such as the fused dorsal plates of a turtle.

     (b) "Immunocompromised" means having the immune system impaired or weakened as by drugs or illness.

     (c) "Person" means any individual, corporation, company, association, society, firm, partnership, joint stock company, or governmental agency; or the authorized agents of these entities.

     (d) "Poultry" means chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other domestic farm birds.

     (e) "Turtles" means all animals commonly known as turtles, tortoises, terrapins, and all other animals of the order Testudinata, class Reptilia, except marine species in the families Dermachelidae and Chelonidae.

     (f) "Vendor" means a person selling, trading, or transferring an animal to another person as a commercial activity.

     (3) A vendor transferring a reptile, amphibian, or poultry chick for the purpose of being kept as a pet shall provide the buyer or recipient a written notification including:

     (a) Information about possible human diseases contracted from reptiles, amphibians, or poultry chicks, such as Salmonella infection;

     (b) Who is at greater risk for contracting and experiencing severe illness related to contact with reptiles, amphibians, and poultry chicks, such as young, elderly, and immunocompromised persons; and

     (c) Disease prevention messages, such as proper hand washing and recommendations for high risk groups.

     (4) To meet the requirements of subsection (3) of this section, vendors may use materials provided by the department and available at www.doh.wa.gov.

     (5) Live turtles with a carapace length of less than four inches shall not be sold, held for sale, or offered for sale or distribution for the purpose of being kept as a pet.

     (6) All persons are prohibited from selling products containing milk, meat, hides, or hair that is contaminated or suspected of being contaminated with anthrax as determined by the state health officer, local health officer, or a federal agency.

     (7) All persons are prohibited from selling, transferring, or acquiring an animal or animal product associated with a zoonotic disease outbreak or suspected outbreak as determined by the state health officer, local health officer, or a federal agency.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as § 246-100-191, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91; 88-07-063 (Order 308), § 248-100-191, filed 3/16/88.]

     (2) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

     (a) "Animal exhibitor" means a person with a valid class C certification as an exhibitor under the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. 2131-2159.

     (b) "Animal venue operator" means a person furnishing a setting where public contact with animals is encouraged such as a petting zoo, county fair, or horse or pony rides.

     (c) "Immunocompromised" means having the immune system impaired or weakened as by drugs or illness.

     (d) "Person" means any individual, corporation, company, association, society, firm, partnership, joint stock company, or governmental agency; or the authorized agents of these entities.

     (3) Animal venue operators shall:

     (a) Provide an accessible hand-washing station or alternative hand sanitizing method approved by the local health officer;

     (b) Post a prominent sign in a simple and easy-to-understand format for visitors to see before they enter the animal exhibit area which warns that:

     (i) Animals can carry germs that can make people sick, even animals that appear healthy;

     (ii) Eating, drinking, or putting things in a person's mouth in animal areas could cause illness;

     (iii) Older adults, pregnant women, immunocompromised people, and young children are more likely to become ill from contact with animals;

     (iv) Young children and individuals with intellectual disabilities should be supervised in animal exhibit areas; and

     (v) Strollers, baby bottles, pacifiers, and children's toys are not recommended in animal exhibit areas.

     (c) Post a prominent sign at each exit of the animal exhibit area reminding visitors to wash their hands.

     (4) To meet the requirements of subsections (3)(b) and (c) of this section, animal venue operators may use materials provided by the department and available at www.doh.wa.gov.

     (5) Animal exhibitors and other persons legally responsible for animals in public settings shall:

     (a) Observe animals daily for signs of illness;

     (b) Prevent public contact with sick animals;

     (c) As applicable, comply with WAC 246-100-197, Rabies -- Measures to prevent human disease;

     (d) As applicable, comply with WAC 246-100-201, Psittacosis -- Measures to prevent human disease; and

     (e) Comply with, and have in their possession, any local, state, or federally required documents allowing the exhibition of animals in public settings.

     (6) Animal venue operators, animal exhibitors, other persons legally responsible for animals in public settings, and veterinarians shall cooperate with local health officer investigations and control measures for zoonotic disease.

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     (2) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

     (a) "Animal exhibitor" means a person with a valid class C certification as an exhibitor under the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. 2131-2159.

     (b) "Cat" means an animal of the species Felis domesticus, and excludes felid hybrid animals.

     (c) "Certificate of veterinary inspection" means a legible veterinary health inspection certificate on an official form (electronic or paper) from the state of origin or from Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) executed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian or a veterinarian approved by APHIS, USDA.

     (d) "Dog" means an animal of the species Canis familiaris and excludes canid hybrid animals.

     (e) "Entry permit" means prior written permission from the director of the department of agriculture.

     (f) "Euthanize" means to humanely destroy an animal by a method that involves instantaneous unconsciousness and immediate death or by a method that causes painless loss of consciousness and death during the loss of consciousness.

     (g) "Ferret" means an animal of the species Mustela furo.

     (h) "Hybrid" means any mammal which is the offspring of the reproduction between any species of:

     (i) Wild canid or hybrid wild canid and a domestic dog or hybrid wild canid, or is represented by its owner to be a wolf hybrid, coyote hybrid, coy dog or any other kind of wild canid hybrid; or

     (ii) Wild felid or hybrid wild felid and a domestic cat or hybrid wild felid or is represented by its owner to be a wild felid hybrid.

     (i) "Livestock" means horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, llamas, alpacas, ratites, poultry, waterfowl, game birds, and other species so designated by statute. Livestock does not mean "wild animals" as defined in RCW 77.08.010.

     (j) "Owner" means any person legally responsible for the care and actions of a pet animal.

     (k) "Person" means any individual, corporation, company, association, society, firm, partnership, joint stock company, or governmental agency; or the authorized agents of these entities.

     (l) "Research facility" means a person with a valid class R certification as a research facility under the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. 2131-2159.

     (m) "Zoological park" means an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).

     (3) An owner of a dog, cat, or ferret shall have it vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated following veterinary and vaccine manufacturer instructions. This requirement does not apply to animal shelters.

     (4) Zoological parks and other types of animal exhibitors shall confine for a minimum of six months all wild-caught mammals susceptible to rabies and intended for public exhibition.

     (5) The following restrictions apply to the importation and movement of certain mammals in Washington state.

     (a) All persons are prohibited from acquiring, selling, bartering, exchanging, giving, purchasing, distributing, or trapping to retain any bat, skunk, fox, raccoon, or coyote, except a zoological park, animal exhibitor, or research facility.

     (b) All persons are prohibited from importing into the state any bat, skunk, fox, raccoon, or coyote, except a zoological park, animal exhibitor, or research facility under an entry permit issued by the director of the department of agriculture in consultation with the secretary of the department.

     (c) Any person importing a dog internationally that requires confinement according to requirements of 42 C.F.R. 71.51, shall notify the secretary of the department within seventy-two hours of the animal's arrival in the state.

     (6) When a local health officer receives a report that a dog, cat, ferret, or hybrid has been exposed to a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the local health officer may require:

     (a) Unvaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets be:

     (i) Euthanized immediately; or

     (ii) Confined in a manner considered appropriate by the local health officer for at least six months from the date of suspected rabies exposure and given rabies vaccine at least thirty days prior to the end of the confinement period.

     (b) Currently vaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets be revaccinated immediately with rabies vaccine, kept under the owner's control in a manner considered appropriate by the local health officer, and observed for forty-five days for signs of illness.

     (c) Hybrids be euthanized immediately.

     (7) The owner or caretaker of a dog, cat, or ferret that is confined or under observation as described in subsection (6) of this section shall report any illness in the animal to the local health officer. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the local health officer may order the animal to be euthanized and tested for rabies.

     (8) When a local health officer receives a report that a mammal has bitten or otherwise potentially exposed a person to rabies, the local health officer may institute any or all of the following:

     (a) Order a healthy dog, cat, or ferret to be confined in a manner the local health officer considers appropriate and observed daily for at least ten days with any illness reported to the local health officer, and if signs suggestive of rabies develop, order the animal to be euthanized and tested for rabies;

     (b) Order immediate euthanasia and rabies testing of any stray or unwanted dog, cat, or ferret; or

     (c) Order euthanasia and rabies testing of any hybrid or other mammal that is not a livestock animal.

     (9) When a mammal other than a bat is found to be rabid, the local health officer may institute additional community-wide measures as appropriate including, but not limited to, the following actions:

     (a) Issuance of orders to pick up and impound stray and unlicensed dogs, cats, hybrids and ferrets;

     (b) Issuance of orders to owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets requiring proof of rabies vaccination following veterinary and vaccine manufacturer instructions;

     (c) Restriction of dogs, cats, hybrids, and ferrets to owners' or caretakers' premises except when on leash; or

     (d) Provide public and professional outreach education.

     (10) When mammals are displaced during or after a man made or natural disaster and require emergency sheltering, the local health officer may implement and coordinate rabies prevention and control measures as described in Part I B.8., Disaster Response of the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2008. A copy of this publication is available for review at the department's web site, at www.doh.wa.gov.

     (11) A person euthanizing a mammal for the purpose of rabies testing as described in this section shall prepare, package, and transport the specimens to be tested in a manner approved by the local health officer and according to the department's Guidelines for the Submission of Specimens for Rabies Testing, August 2006. This publication is available from the department at www.doh.wa.gov.

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     (ii) Order any action necessary to control an outbreak or potential outbreak of psittacosis in Washington state.)) The purpose of this rule is to protect the public from psittacosis.

     (2) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

     (a) "Avian chlamydiosis" means a bacterial infection of birds caused by Chlamydophila psittaci;

     (b) "Person" means any individual, corporation, company, association, society, firm, partnership, joint stock company, or governmental agency; or the authorized agents of these entities;

     (c) "Psittacine bird" means all birds commonly known as parrots, macaws, cockatoos, cockatiels, lovebirds, parakeets, and all other birds of the order Psittaciformes.

     (d) "Psittacosis" means a bacterial infection of humans caused by Chlamydophila psittaci.

     (e) "Vendor" means a person selling, trading, or transferring a bird to another person as a commercial activity.

     (3) A vendor acquiring, selling, trading, or transferring a psittacine bird shall maintain a record of transfer for at least one year which includes:

     (a) Date of transaction;

     (b) Name, address, and telephone number of the persons involved in the transaction;

     (c) Number and type, including the common name of the bird transferred.

     (4) A vendor transferring a psittacine bird to a member of the general public shall provide each buyer or recipient with written information about psittacosis and avian chlamydiosis including:

     (a) Signs of infection in a sick bird including nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, ruffled feathers, lethargy, and diarrhea;

     (b) Symptoms of psittacosis in a human including chills, fever, headache, cough, and muscle aches;

     (c) A warning that nasal discharge and droppings of an infected or sick bird may cause illness in humans;

     (d) A warning that healthy appearing birds can shed the harmful bacteria that can cause psittacosis intermittently and that shedding can be activated by stress factors such as relocation, shipping, crowding, chilling, and breeding; and

     (e) A recommendation to consult a veterinarian or health care provider, as appropriate, if signs or symptoms occur.

     (5) To meet the requirements of subsection (4) of this section, vendors may use materials provided by the department and available at www.doh.wa.gov.

     (6) A vendor shall post a readable sign accessible to the general public with the information described in subsection (4) of this section.

     (7) A person exhibiting or displaying a psittacine bird in a place or area used or occupied by the public shall exhibit the bird in a manner preventing human exposure to the bird and bird discharges except:

     (a) In single-purpose pet shops and aviaries; and

     (b) At bird shows if a room containing a bird is separated from other areas and activities, and the room entrance has a sign warning people about potential risk of psittacosis.

     (8) The local health officer may initiate an epidemiologic investigation to control the transmission of C. psittaci to humans, which may include:

     (a) Site visit to where the recently purchased infected bird is located and identification of the location where the bird was originally procured;

     (b) Documenting the number and types of birds involved, the health status of potentially affected persons and birds, locations of facilities where birds were housed, relevant ventilation-related factors, treatment protocols, and examination of sales records; and

     (c) Working with the bird vendor and vendor's veterinarian to test suspect birds using methods established in Appendix 1 of the Compendium of Measures To Control Chlamydophila Psittaci Infection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), 2009. A copy of this publication is available for review at the department's web site at www.doh.wa.gov.

     (9) When investigating a case of psittacosis, the local health officer may enforce requirements of this section on a nonpsittacine bird if there is suspected exposure of the nonpsittacine bird to an infected bird.

     (10) Upon confirmation of avian chlamydiosis, a vendor shall cooperate with the local health officer and assume costs associated with actions required by the local health officer, which may include, but is not limited to, testing of potentially exposed humans; and quarantine, testing, appropriate antibiotic treatment, and destruction of birds.

     (11) Any person receiving a psittacine bird from points outside Washington state shall:

     (a) Refuse receipt of any bird originating from premises where avian chlamydiosis infection is suspected or known; and

     (b) Refuse receipt of any bird from a premises quarantined for avian chlamydiosis.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 00-23-120, § 246-100-201, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00; 92-02-019 (Order 225B), § 246-100-201, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92; 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as § 246-100-201, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91; 88-07-063 (Order 308), § 248-100-201, filed 3/16/88.]

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