8442C - PROCEDURES ON ANIMAL BITES

Southern Local School District

Administrative Guidelines

8442C - PROCEDURES ON ANIMAL BITES

Animal bites not only present a health problem but could open up the possibility of litigation against the Board of Education. Therefore, the following guidelines shall be followed so that we may both prevent some problems. Children are not to handle any live animals unless they are protected by gloves.

Procedures to Follow if an Animal Bite Occurs

		1.	Immediate first aid care should be administered to the student.
		2.	The nurse and principal should be notified and they or their designee should notify parent and the local board of health.
		3.	Parents should be advised to seek medical attention.
		4.	The animal should be quarantined for a period of ten (10) days.
		5.	The appropriate administrator should be notified immediately if the animal shows signs of being rabid.
		6.	A follow-up report of an animal bite should be forwarded to the appropriate administrator at the end of the ten (10) day period in order to attest to the animal's health.
		7.	In the event that the animal should die within the ten (10) day quarantine period, the appropriate administrator should be notified immediately.

Procedures to Follow if an Animal Dies

		1.	Place animal in plastic bag under refrigeration immediately.
		2.	Smaller animal specimens, such as bats, hamsters, gerbils, etc., are to be sent whole for examination.
		3.	Consult your local veterinarian in the case of larger animals (dogs, raccoons, etc.) since only the head is to be delivered to the State Health Department.
		4.	There is no quarantine with wild animals. They should be sacrificed immediately and head specimen sent to the State Department of Health Rabies Laboratory.
		5.	Information needed along with animal's body:

			a.	date of death of animal,
			b.	name of person bitten (name, address, phone number),
			c.	name of specimen (e.g. hamster),
			d.	circumstances of bite,
			e.	owner of animal,
			f.	municipality of person bitten.