Investigation And Control Of Reportable Diseases

01. Responsibility and Authority. The Department will use all reasonable means to confirm in a timely manner any case or suspected case of a reportable disease or condition, and will determine, when possible, all sources of infection and the extent of exposure. Reports of diseases and conditions enumerated in this chapter will be investigated. Investigations may be made when the Department or Health District determines a disease to be of public health significance. (7-1-26) a. Every licensed physician or other health care provider attending to a person with a reportable disease or condition must inform the person on applicable control measures as outlined in these rules and cooperate with the Department in the investigation and control of the disease or condition. (7-1-26) b. Any person providing emergency or medical services who believes they have experienced a significant exposure to blood or bodily fluids may report said exposure as soon as possible to the Department. When the state epidemiologist’s judges a significant exposure has occurred, the Department will inform the exposed individual that they may have been exposed to the HIV or HBV virus, or that there is no information available based on the Department's current HIV or HBV registry and will recommend appropriate counseling and testing for the exposed individual. (7-1-26) 02. Inviolability of Placards. If it is necessary to use placards, it is unlawful for any person to interfere with, conceal, mutilate or tear down any notices or placards on any house, building or premises placed by the Department. Such placards can only be removed by the health official. (3-17-22) Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) Within 3 working days DC, FS, HC, S School Food Service Facility Tularemia (Francisella tularensis) Immediately; Identification of Francisella tularensis - within 1 working day None Uncovered and Open or Drain- ing Skin Lesions with Pus, such as a Boil or Open Wound No reporting required FS Varicella (chickenpox) No reporting required DC, S Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Immediately DC, FS, HC, S Vomiting (until noninfectious cause is identified) No reporting required FS Yersiniosis (Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis) Within 3 working days; Identification of Yersinia pestis - immediately FS REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTABLE AND RESTRICTABLE DISEASES AND CONDITIONS TABLE 050 Reportable or Restrictable Diseases and Conditions Reporting Timeframe Restrictable for DC = Daycare FS = Food Service HC = Health Care Facility S = School Which Facilities Must Report in Addition to Health Care Providers, Laboratory Directors, & Hospital Administrators IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 16.02.10 Department of Health and Welfare Idaho Reportable Diseases Section 065 Page 16 03. Verification of Diagnosis and Case Classification. Cases of diseases or conditions reported to the Department will be treated as such upon the statement of the attending licensed physician or other health care provider, unless there is reason to doubt the diagnosis. Final decision as to the case classification for administrative purposes will rest with the Division of Public Health Administrator or Health District Director. (7-1-26) 04. Closure of Schools and Places of Public Assembly. The Director may order the closing of any public, parochial, or private school, or other place of public assembly when, in their opinion, such closing is necessary to protect public health. The school or other place of public assembly must not reopen until permitted by the health official. (3-17-22) 05. Transportation of Patients With Communicable Disease. No person with a reportable disease in a communicable form, who is under orders of isolation, nor any contact who is restricted under an order of quarantine, may travel or be transported from one place to another without the permission of the Division of Public Health Administrator or Health District Director. An exception may be made in instances where the patient will be admitted directly to a hospital or treatment facility, provided adequate precautions are taken to prevent transmission of the disease by the patient en route to the hospital or treatment facility. (7-1-26) 06. Order to Report for Examination. The Division of Public Health Administrator or Health District Director may issue an order to report for examination. An order to report for examination must be served by delivering one (1) copy to the person to be examined, one (1) copy to the prosecuting attorney of the county or city in which the person resides, and filing one (1) copy bearing the notation of time and place of service and the signature of the person serving the notice with the issuing health authority. (3-17-22) 07. Order for Isolation. The Division of Public Health Administrator or Health District Director may issue and withdraw an order for isolation if they determine that it is necessary to protect the public from a significant risk of the spread of infectious or communicable diseases or from contamination from chemical or biological agents. (7-1-26) a. The order for isolation must be executed as follows: (3-17-22) i. One (1) copy to the individual being isolated; (3-17-22) ii. One (1) copy to the attending licensed physician; (3-17-22) iii. One (1) copy to the prosecuting attorney of the county or city in which the person resides; and (3-17-22) iv. One (1) copy to be filed in the office of the issuing officer along with an affidavit of service signed by the person who served the order. (3-17-22) b. The issuing officer will make an assessment and identify the least restrictive means of isolation that effectively protects unexposed and susceptible individuals from the public health threat. Orders of isolation require the individual to isolate himself at a certain place or places, and may require specific precautions to be taken when outside a designated place of isolation as the issuing officer deems appropriate and necessary. If the place of isolation is other than the individual’s place of residence, a copy of the order must be provided to the person in charge of that place. (3-17-22) c. The Division of Public Health Administrator or Health District Director will withdraw an order for isolation once it is determined there is no longer a significant threat to the public’s health posed by the individual under order for isolation. (3-17-22) 08. Order for Quarantine. The Division of Public Health Administrator or Health District Director is empowered whenever a case of any communicable disease occurs in any household or other place within their jurisdiction and in their opinion it is necessary that persons residing within must be kept from contact with the public, to require that no persons will leave or enter during the period of quarantine except with specific permission of the issuing officer. (7-1-26) IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 16.02.10 Department of Health and Welfare Idaho Reportable Diseases Section 068 Page 17 a. The order for quarantine must be executed as follows: (3-17-22) i. One (1) copy to any individual being quarantined; (3-17-22) ii. One (1) copy to the attending licensed physician; (3-17-22) iii. One (1) copy to the prosecuting attorney of the county or city in which the quarantine occurs; (3-17-22) iv. One (1) copy to be filed in the office of the issuing officer along with an affidavit of service signed by the person who served the order; and (3-17-22) v. One (1) copy to the person in charge or owner of the place of quarantine. (3-17-22) b. The issuing officer will make an assessment and identify the least restrictive timeframe of quarantine that effectively protects unexposed and susceptible individuals to the infection of public health threat. (3-17-22) c. The Division of Public Health Administrator or Health District Director will withdraw an order for quarantine when they determine there is no longer a significant threat to the public’s health posed by the individual or premises under the order for quarantine. (3-17-22) 09. Sexually Transmitted Infection Contacts. Any person infected with a sexually transmitted infection (venereal disease) as defined in Section 39-601, Idaho Code, is required to provide the name, address, and telephone number(s) of all persons from whom the disease may have been acquired and to whom the disease may have been transmitted, when such information is requested by the Department or Health District. (3-17-22) 066. – 067. (RESERVED)