NAC441A.530. Foodborne disease outbreak.

     1. The health authority shall investigate each report of an outbreak or suspected outbreak of illness known or suspected to be caused by a contaminated food or beverage.

     2. The health authority shall conduct an epidemiological investigation of each report of an outbreak or suspected outbreak to confirm its existence, to identify the source, to determine the number of persons exposed to the source, to interview potentially exposed persons, to collect and submit clinical and environmental samples for laboratory testing and to determine the need to institute measures to control the outbreak or suspected outbreak.

     3. The owner, manager or any other person in charge of a food establishment shall promptly cooperate with the health authority in all matters relating to the investigation of a foodborne disease outbreak, including, but not limited to:

     (a) Providing information, including names and addresses of patrons and employees, work schedules of employees, histories of illnesses of employees, menus and any other information requested by the health authority.

     (b) Providing access to employees for interviewing and obtaining clinical specimens.

     (c) Providing food, beverage and environmental samples for laboratory testing.

     (d) Cooperating with the efforts of the health authority to carry out procedures for the prevention, suppression and control of the foodborne disease outbreak, including, without limitation, procedures of exclusion, isolation and quarantine.

     4. The health authority shall submit a written report summarizing his or her investigation to the State Health Officer within 7 days of completing the investigation. The report must include the:

     (a) Event, food, beverage or other vehicle suspected of transmitting the foodborne disease.

     (b) Number of persons exposed.

     (c) Number of persons known to have become ill from the source.

     (d) Symptoms experienced by the persons who became ill.

     (e) Epidemic curve for the outbreak.

     (f) Incubation period of the illness.

     (g) Results of tests performed by a medical laboratory.

     (h) Conclusions of the health authority concerning the cause of the outbreak.

     (i) Measures instituted for the control of the outbreak, if any.

     5. The health authority shall notify the State Health Officer if the source of the outbreak or suspected outbreak of illness is known or suspected to be related to an act of intentional transmission or biological terrorism.

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