NAC441A.691. Smallpox (variola).

     1. The health authority shall investigate each report of a case having smallpox or a suspected case considered to have smallpox to:

     (a) Confirm the diagnosis;

     (b) Determine the extent of any outbreak;

     (c) Identify the source of the infection;

     (d) Identify any susceptible contacts; and

     (e) Determine the need for measures to prevent, suppress and control the spread of the disease, including, without limitation, the need to:

          (1) Isolate the case or suspected case;

          (2) Immunize or quarantine any susceptible contacts; and

          (3) Quarantine any susceptible contact who refuses immunization or for whom immunization may be inappropriate.

     2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a case having smallpox or a suspected case considered to have smallpox must be isolated from all persons who may be susceptible to the disease until any lesions on the case have healed.

     3. If a case having smallpox or a suspected case considered to have smallpox is treated in a medical facility, the medical facility shall provide care to the case or suspected case as directed by the health authority until any lesions on the case have healed.

     4. An employee of a medical facility shall not have direct contact with a case having smallpox or with a suspected case considered to have smallpox unless the employee provides proof of immunity to smallpox or uses appropriate personal protective equipment.

     5. The health authority shall immediately notify the State Health Officer of a report of a case having smallpox or a suspected case considered to have smallpox.

     6. As used in this section, “smallpox” means smallpox (variola).

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