Rabies Guidance & Regulations

Humans potentially exposed to rabies

New York State Department of Health Guidance Regarding Human Exposure to Rabies and Postexposure Prophylaxis Decisions (PDF) provides information for managing potential rabies exposures, including identifying exposure types, administering postexposure prophylaxis (RPEP), and assessing animals by observing or testing.

Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (RPEP) Administration (PDF)

New York State Department of Health Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis Algorithm (PDF) is a visual process guide for health care providers for decision-making on rabies treatment and animal confinement and testing.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a group of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the civilian population of the United States. Their recommendations stand as public health guidance for safe use of vaccines and related biological products. The Committee's recommendations are forwarded to CDC's Director and once adopted become official CDC policy.

Animals and rabies

Rabies in New York: What Veterinarians Need to Know (PDF)

What Pet Owners Need to Know About Rabies Vaccinations in New York State (PDF) describes New York State law regarding rabies vaccinations for all cats, dogs, and domesticated ferrets.

Guidance Regarding 10-day Confinement of Animals for Rabies Observation (PDF) details how, under New York State public health law, domesticated animals may be observed for 10 days after they have potentially exposed a person to rabies to evaluate if they may have been spreading rabies at the time of the bite. Animals other than domesticated animals must be euthanized and tested to determine rabies status.

Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2016 (PDF) is a publication from the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians that provides:

  • recommendations to standardize rabies prevention and control programs throughout jurisdictions in the U.S. (do not supersede state and local laws or requirements),
  • vaccination procedure recommendations,
  • a list of animal rabies vaccines licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and marketed in the U.S.,
  • contact information for manufacturers of animal vaccines.

Laws and regulations

Public Health Law – State Rabies and Animal Control Statutes link to sections of New York State public health law pertaining to rabies including mandatory vaccination, animal seizure and disposal, and county responsibility.

State Sanitary Code 10 NYCRR § 2.14(a)-(k) describes:

  • requirements to report possible rabies exposures and animals showing signs of rabies to the local health department,
  • the local health department's authority to confine or test an animal,
  • which animals may be held for observation, and which must be submitted for testing,
  • quarantine requirements when an animal has been in contact with a known or suspected rabid animal,
  • limitations to move quarantined animals to another jurisdiction,
  • requirement of the local health department to report suspected rabid animals and individuals who receive rabies prophylaxis (treatment),
  • the local health department's authority to submit animal specimens for rabies testing,
  • the requirement for all cats living in a county where a raccoon has been confirmed as rabid to be vaccinated against rabies.

Part 57 of Title 10 of NYCRR – Conditions for a Dog Actively Immunized against Rabies specifies when a dog is vaccinated against rabies so they may be "at large," meaning elsewhere than on the premises of the owner without being on a leash.

Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0512 links to New York State law prohibiting the possession, sale, barter, transfer, exchange, and import of wild animals as pets.

Bringing a Dog into the U.S. describes CDC requirements for bringing a dog into the United States. These steps will vary based on where the dog has been during the six months prior to being brought into the United States. Additional requirements apply to dogs imported from countries where foot and mouth disease or screwworm exist.