NAC441A.570. Hepatitis B, C and Delta.

     1. The health authority shall investigate each report of:

     (a) An acute case of hepatitis B, C or Delta; or

     (b) A pregnant woman who is positive for hepatitis B surface antigen upon testing of a blood specimen by a medical laboratory,

Ê to confirm the diagnosis, to identify any carriers or other cases, to identify the contacts of the case, to identify the source of the infection and to determine the need for postexposure prophylaxis for the contacts.

     2. The health authority shall notify any persons with whom the case having hepatitis B, C or Delta has had sexual relations and any person with whom the case has shared a needle of their potential exposure to the disease. The notification must inform such persons of:

     (a) The modes of transmission of the disease;

     (b) Methods to prevent transmission of the disease; and

     (c) Their potential need for postexposure prophylaxis, immunization and testing for the presence of hepatitis B, C or Delta in accordance with the applicable recommendations, guidelines and publications adopted by reference pursuant to NAC 441A.200.

     3. A pregnant woman must be screened by her health care provider for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen. The health care provider shall refer a pregnant woman who is positive for hepatitis B surface antigen to the health authority.

     4. The health care provider of an infant born to a woman carrying hepatitis B surface antigen shall ensure that the infant is given hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth, with the vaccine series being completed on a schedule established by the Division.

     5. If a case having hepatitis B, C or Delta or a carrier of hepatitis B, C or Delta is in a medical facility, the medical facility shall provide care to the case or carrier in accordance with blood and body fluid precautions and universal precautions.

     6. The health authority may require a non-acute case having hepatitis B, C or Delta, the health care provider of the case and any other person with information about the case to provide information to the health authority to the extent necessary for the purpose of surveillance and to protect the public health.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health, eff. 1-24-92; A by R087-08, 1-13-2011)