NAC441A.675. Rubella.

     1. The health authority shall investigate each report of a case having rubella or suspected case considered to have rubella to confirm the diagnosis, to determine the extent of any outbreak, to identify the source or suspected source of the infection, to identify any contacts who are pregnant and susceptible to rubella and to determine the need for exclusion, isolation and immunization.

     2. The health authority shall refer a contact who is pregnant for serological testing to determine susceptibility or early infection and for thorough medical consultation.

     3. A case having rubella or a suspected case considered to have rubella must, for at least 7 days after the onset of rash, be excluded from attending child care facilities, schools, sporting events sponsored by schools, sensitive occupations and public gatherings, and from contact with all pregnant women or other susceptible persons outside the household.

     4. If a case having rubella or a suspected case considered to have rubella is in a medical facility, the medical facility shall provide care to the case or suspected case in accordance with contact isolation or other appropriate disease specific precautions.

     5. An employee of a medical facility shall not have direct contact with any case having rubella, any suspected case considered to have rubella or with any patient who is or may be pregnant, unless the employee provides proof of immunity to rubella.

     6. On the same day that a report of a case having rubella or a suspected case considered to have rubella in a school or child care facility is received, the principal, director or other person in charge of the school or child care facility shall:

     (a) Conduct an inquiry into absenteeism to determine the existence of any other cases or suspected cases in the school or child care facility.

     (b) Report the case or suspected case to the health authority.

     (c) Review the records of immunization of all enrolled children to identify those who are not adequately immunized against rubella.

     (d) Notify the parent or legal guardian of each child who has not presented proof of immunity to rubella, that the child is excluded from attendance at the school or child care facility, effective the following morning:

          (1) Until proof of immunity to rubella is received by the school or child care facility; or

          (2) If the child has not been immunized to rubella because of a medical or religious exemption, until 14 days after the onset of the last reported case.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health, eff. 1-24-92)