Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli .

1. The health authority shall investigate each report of: (a) A case having Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli , as identified by clinical specimens that demonstrate the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli or specific toxins upon testing by a medical laboratory; and (b) A suspected case considered to have Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli , as identified by the presence of hemorrhagic diarrhea or hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and from whom clinical specimens have not been tested. 2. The investigation required pursuant to subsection 1 must be conducted to: (a) Confirm the diagnosis; (b) Identify the source of infection; and (c) Determine if the case is employed in a sensitive occupation or is a child attending a child care facility. 3. A person excreting Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli shall not work in a sensitive occupation unless authorized to do so by a health authority. The health authority may authorize the case to work in a sensitive occupation if: (a) Two fecal specimens, collected from the case at least 24 hours apart and at least 48 hours after cessation of antimicrobial therapy, fail to show the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli organisms or specific toxins upon testing by a medical laboratory; or (b) The case is asymptomatic and there is no indication of poor personal hygiene. 4. A contact residing in the same household as a case having Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli shall not work in a sensitive occupation unless authorized to do so by the health authority. 5. The health authority shall instruct a person excreting Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli of the need for and proper method of hand washing after defecation. 6. Unless authorized by the health authority, an infant or child excreting Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli shall not attend a child care facility until he or she has been asymptomatic for at least 24 hours. The health authority: (a) May order any additional exclusion, testing or treatment of any person that the health authority determines is necessary to prevent further transmission of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli ; and (b) Shall instruct a child care facility where an infant or child who is attending the facility is excreting Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli of the need for and proper method of hand washing and other practices for the control of infection which prevent the transmission of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli . 7. If a case having Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli is in a medical facility, the medical facility shall provide care to the case in accordance with enteric precautions or other appropriate disease specific precautions.