NAC441A.295. Duties of State Health Officer.

     1. If the State Health Officer knows, suspects or is informed of the existence within his or her jurisdiction of a communicable disease, he or she shall:

     (a) Use as a guideline for the investigation, prevention, suppression and control of the communicable disease, the recommended guidelines for the investigation, prevention, suppression and control of the communicable disease set forth in:

          (1) “General Recommendations on Immunization: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices,” adopted by reference pursuant to NAC 441A.200;

          (2) Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, adopted by reference pursuant to NAC 441A.200;

          (3) Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, adopted by reference pursuant to NAC 441A.200; and

          (4) Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, adopted by reference pursuant to NAC 441A.200; and

     (b) Carry out the measures for the investigation, prevention, suppression and control of the communicable disease specified in the provisions of this chapter.

     2. Upon receiving a report from a medical laboratory pursuant to NAC 441A.235, the State Health Officer shall contact the health care provider who ordered the test or examination and discuss the circumstances of the case or suspected case before initiating an investigation or contacting the case or suspected case. If, after a reasonable effort, the State Health Officer is unable to contact the health care provider who ordered the test or examination before the time when an investigation must be initiated to protect the public health, the State Health Officer may proceed with the investigation, including contacting the case or suspected case, and may carry out measures for the prevention, suppression and control of the communicable disease.

     3. If the State Health Officer suspects that there may be an association between two or more cases infected with the same communicable disease, the State Health Officer shall:

     (a) Conduct an investigation to determine whether the cases share a common source of infection; and

     (b) If he or she identifies a common source of infection that poses a threat to the public health:

          (1) Inform the public of the common source of infection; and

          (2) Provide education to the public concerning the risk, transmission, prevention and control of the communicable disease.

     4. The State Health Officer shall inform persons within his or her jurisdiction who are subject to the provisions of this chapter of the requirements of this chapter.

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