CHAPTER 41 - HEALTH: EPIDEMIOLOGY
subchapter 41A - COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL
section .0100 - COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL
10A ncac 41a .0101 REPORTABLE DISEASES AND
CONDITIONS
(a) The following named diseases and conditions are
declared to be dangerous to the public health and are hereby made reportable
within the time period specified after the disease or condition is reasonably
suspected to exist:
(1) acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) ‑
24 hours;
(2) anthrax ‑ immediately;
(3) botulism ‑ immediately;
(4) brucellosis ‑ 7 days;
(5) campylobacter infection ‑ 24 hours;
(6) chancroid ‑ 24 hours;
(7) chikungunya virus infection - 24 hours;
(8) chlamydial infection (laboratory confirmed)
‑ 7 days;
(9) cholera ‑ 24 hours;
(10) Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease – 7 days;
(11) cryptosporidiosis – 24 hours;
(12) cyclosporiasis – 24 hours;
(13) dengue ‑ 7 days;
(14) diphtheria ‑ 24 hours;
(15) Escherichia coli, shiga toxin-producing ‑
24 hours;
(16) ehrlichiosis – 7 days;
(17) encephalitis, arboviral ‑ 7 days;
(18) foodborne disease, including Clostridium
perfringens, staphylococcal, Bacillus cereus, and other and unknown causes ‑
24 hours;
(19) gonorrhea ‑ 24 hours;
(20) granuloma inguinale ‑ 24 hours;
(21) Haemophilus influenzae, invasive disease ‑
24 hours;
(22) Hantavirus infection – 7 days;
(23) Hemolytic-uremic syndrome – 24 hours;
(24) Hemorrhagic fever virus infection –
immediately;
(25) hepatitis A ‑ 24 hours;
(26) hepatitis B ‑ 24 hours;
(27) hepatitis B carriage ‑ 7 days;
(28) hepatitis C, acute – 7 days;
(29) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
confirmed ‑ 24 hours;
(30) influenza virus infection causing death – 24
hours;
(31) legionellosis ‑ 7 days;
(32) leprosy – 7 days;
(33) leptospirosis ‑ 7 days;
(34) listeriosis – 24 hours;
(35) Lyme disease ‑ 7 days;
(36) lymphogranuloma venereum ‑ 7 days;
(37) malaria ‑ 7 days;
(38) measles (rubeola) ‑ 24 hours;
(39) meningitis, pneumococcal ‑ 7 days;
(40) meningococcal disease ‑ 24 hours;
(41) Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) - 24
hours;
(42) monkeypox – 24 hours;
(43) mumps ‑ 7 days;
(44) nongonococcal urethritis ‑ 7 days;
(45) novel influenza virus infection –
immediately;
(46) plague ‑ immediately;
(47) paralytic poliomyelitis ‑ 24 hours;
(48) pelvic inflammatory disease – 7 days;
(49) psittacosis ‑ 7 days;
(50) Q fever ‑ 7 days;
(51) rabies, human ‑ 24 hours;
(52) Rocky Mountain spotted fever ‑ 7 days;
(53) rubella ‑ 24 hours;
(54) rubella congenital syndrome ‑ 7 days;
(55) salmonellosis ‑ 24 hours;
(56) severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) –
24 hours;
(57) shigellosis ‑ 24 hours;
(58) smallpox - immediately;
(59) Staphylococcus aureus with reduced
susceptibility to vancomycin – 24 hours;
(60) streptococcal infection, Group A, invasive
disease - 7 days;
(61) syphilis ‑ 24 hours;
(62) tetanus ‑ 7 days;
(63) toxic shock syndrome ‑ 7 days;
(64) trichinosis ‑ 7 days;
(65) tuberculosis ‑ 24 hours;
(66) tularemia – immediately;
(67) typhoid ‑ 24 hours;
(68) typhoid carriage (Salmonella typhi) ‑
7 days;
(69) typhus, epidemic (louse-borne) ‑ 7
days;
(70) vaccinia – 24 hours;
(71) vibrio infection (other than cholera) – 24
hours;
(72) whooping cough – 24 hours; and
(73) yellow fever ‑ 7 days.
(b) For purposes of reporting, "confirmed human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection" is defined as a positive virus
culture, repeatedly reactive EIA antibody test confirmed by western blot or
indirect immunofluorescent antibody test, positive nucleic acid detection (NAT)
test, or other confirmed testing method approved by the Director of the State
Public Health Laboratory conducted on or after February
1, 1990. In selecting additional tests for approval, the Director of the
State Public Health Laboratory shall consider whether such tests have been
approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, recommended by the
federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and endorsed by the
Association of Public Health Laboratories.
(c) In addition to the laboratory reports for Mycobacterium
tuberculosis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and syphilis specified in G.S. 130A-139,
laboratories shall report:
(1) Isolation or other specific identification
of the following organisms or their products from human clinical specimens:
(A) Any hantavirus or hemorrhagic fever virus.
(B) Arthropod-borne virus (any type).
(C) Bacillus anthracis, the cause of anthrax.
(D) Bordetella pertussis, the cause of whooping cough
(pertussis).
(E) Borrelia burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme disease
(confirmed tests).
(F) Brucella spp., the causes of brucellosis.
(G) Campylobacter spp., the causes of
campylobacteriosis.
(H) Chlamydia trachomatis, the cause of genital
chlamydial infection, conjunctivitis (adult and newborn) and pneumonia of newborns.
(I) Clostridium botulinum, a cause of botulism.
(J) Clostridium tetani, the cause of tetanus.
(K) Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the cause of
diphtheria.
(L) Coxiella burnetii, the cause of Q fever.
(M) Cryptosporidium parvum, the cause of human cryptosporidiosis.
(N) Cyclospora cayetanesis, the cause of cyclosporiasis.
(O) Ehrlichia spp., the causes of ehrlichiosis.
(P) Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, a cause of
hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic
purpura.
(Q) Francisella tularensis, the cause of tularemia.
(R) Hepatitis B virus or any component thereof, such as
hepatitis B surface antigen.
(S) Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the cause of AIDS.
(T) Legionella spp., the causes of legionellosis.
(U) Leptospira spp., the causes of leptospirosis.
(V) Listeria monocytogenes, the cause of listeriosis.
(W) Middle East respiratory syndrome virus.
(X) Monkeypox.
(Y) Mycobacterium leprae, the cause of leprosy.
(Z) Plasmodium falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, and
P. vivax, the causes of malaria in humans.
(AA) Poliovirus (any), the cause of poliomyelitis.
(BB) Rabies virus.
CC) Rickettsia rickettsii, the cause of Rocky Mountain
spotted fever.
(DD) Rubella virus.
(EE) Salmonella spp., the causes of salmonellosis.
(FF) Shigella spp., the causes of shigellosis.
(GG) Smallpox virus, the cause of smallpox.
(HH) Staphylococcus aureus with reduced susceptibility to
vanomycin.
(II) Trichinella spiralis, the cause of trichinosis.
(JJ) Vaccinia virus.
(KK) Vibrio spp., the causes of cholera and other
vibrioses.
(LL) Yellow fever virus.
(MM) Yersinia pestis, the cause of plague.
(2) Isolation or other specific identification
of the following organisms from normally sterile human body sites:
(A) Group A Streptococcus pyogenes (group A
streptococci).
(B) Haemophilus influenzae, serotype b.
(C) Neisseria meningitidis, the cause of meningococcal
disease.
(3) Positive serologic test results, as
specified, for the following infections:
(A) Fourfold or greater changes or equivalent changes in
serum antibody titers to:
(i) Any arthropod-borne viruses associated with
meningitis or encephalitis in a human.
(ii) Any hantavirus or hemorrhagic fever virus.
(iii) Chlamydia psittaci, the cause of psittacosis.
(iv) Coxiella burnetii, the cause of Q fever.
(v) Dengue virus.
(vi) Ehrlichia spp., the causes of ehrlichiosis.
(vii) Measles (rubeola) virus.
(viii) Mumps virus.
(ix) Rickettsia rickettsii, the cause of Rocky
Mountain spotted fever.
(x) Rubella virus.
(xi) Yellow fever virus.
(B) The presence of IgM serum antibodies to:
(i) Chlamydia psittaci.
(ii) Hepatitis A virus.
(iii) Hepatitis B virus core antigen.
(iv) Rubella virus.
(v) Rubeola (measles) virus.
(vi) Yellow fever virus.
(4) Laboratory results from tests to determine
the absolute and relative counts for the T-helper (CD4) subset of lymphocytes
and all results from tests to determine HIV viral load.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-134; 130A-135;
130A-139; 130A-141;
Amended Eff. October
1, 1994; February 1, 1990;
Temporary Amendment Eff. July
1, 1997;
Amended Eff. August
1, 1998;
Temporary Amendment Eff. February
13, 2003; October 1, 2002; February 18, 2002; June
1, 2001;
Amended Eff. April
1, 2003;
Temporary Amendment Eff. November
1, 2003; May 16, 2003;
Amended Eff. January
1, 2005; April 1, 2004;
Temporary Amendment Eff. June
1, 2006;
Amended Eff. April
1, 2008; November 1, 2007; October 1, 2006;
Temporary Amendment Eff. January
1, 2010;
Temporary Amendment Expired September 11, 2011;
Amended Eff. July 1, 2013;
Emergency Amendment Eff. September 2, 2014;
Temporary Amendment Eff. December 2, 2014;
Amended Eff. October 1, 2015.
10A NCAC 41A .0102 METHOD OF
REPORTING
(a) When a report of a disease or condition is required to
be made pursuant to G.S. 130A‑135 through 139 and 10A NCAC 41A .0101,
with the exception of laboratories, which shall proceed as in Subparagraph (d),
the report shall be made to the local health director as follows:
(1) For diseases and conditions required to be
reported within 24 hours, the initial report shall be made by telephone, and
the report required by Subparagraph (2) of this Paragraph shall be made within
seven days.
(2) In addition to the requirements of
Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph, the report shall be made on the
communicable disease report card or in an electronic format provided by the
Division of Public Health and shall include the name and address of the
patient, the name and address of the parent or guardian if the patient is a
minor, and epidemiologic information.
(3) In addition to the requirements of
Subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this Paragraph, forms or electronic formats
provided by the Division of Public Health for collection of information
necessary for disease control and documentation of clinical and epidemiologic
information about the cases shall be completed and submitted for the following
reportable diseases and conditions identified in 10A NCAC 41A .0101(a):
(A) acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS);
(B) brucellosis;
(C) cholera;
(D) cryptosporidiosis;
(E) cyclosporiasis;
(F) E. coli 0157:H7 infection;
(G) ehrlichiosis;
(H) Haemophilus influenzae, invasive disease;
(I) Hemolytic-uremic syndrome/thrombotic
thrombocytopenic purpura;
(J) hepatitis A;
(K) hepatitis B;
(L) hepatitis B carriage;
(M) hepatitis C;
(N) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) confirmed;
(O) legionellosis;
(P) leptospirosis;
(Q) Lyme disease;
(R) malaria;
(S) measles (rubeola);
(T) meningitis, pneumococcal;
(U) meningococcal disease;
(V) mumps;
(W) paralytic poliomyelitis;
(X) psittacosis;
(Y) Rocky Mountain spotted fever;
(Z) rubella;
(AA) rubella congenital syndrome;
(BB) tetanus;
(CC) toxic shock syndrome;
(DD) trichinosis;
(EE) tuberculosis;
(FF) tularemia;
(GG) typhoid;
(HH) typhoid carriage (Salmonella typhi);
(II) vibrio infection (other than cholera); and
(JJ) whooping cough.
Communicable disease report cards, surveillance forms, and
electronic formats are available from the Division of Public Health, 1915 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1915, and from local health
departments.
(b) Notwithstanding the time frames established in 10A NCAC
41A .0101, a restaurant or other food or drink establishment shall report all
outbreaks or suspected outbreaks of foodborne illness in its customers or
employees and all suspected cases of foodborne disease or foodborne condition
in food‑handlers at the establishment by telephone to the local health
department within 24 hours in accordance with Subparagraph (a)(1) of this
Rule. However, the establishment is not required to submit a report card or
surveillance form pursuant to Subparagraph (a)(2) of this Rule.
(c) For the purposes of reporting by restaurants and other
food or drink establishments pursuant to G.S.130A‑138, the following
diseases and conditions listed in 10A NCAC 41A .0101(a) shall be reported:
(1) anthrax;
(2) botulism;
(3) brucellosis;
(4) campylobacter infection;
(5) cholera;
(6) cryptosporidiosis;
(7) cyclosporiasis;
(8) E. coli 0157:H7 infection;
(9) hepatitis A;
(10) salmonellosis;
(11) shigellosis;
(12) streptococcal infection, Group A, invasive
disease;
(13) trichinosis;
(14) tularemia;
(15) typhoid;
(16) typhoid carriage (Salmonella typhi); and
(17) vibrio infection (other than cholera).
(d) Laboratories required to report test results pursuant
to G.S. 130A‑139 and 10A NCAC 41A .0101(c) shall report as follows:
(1) The results of the specified tests for
syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea shall be reported to the local health
department by the first and fifteenth of each month. Reports of the results of
the specified tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis shall include the
specimen collection date, the patient's age, race, and sex, and the submitting
physician's name, address, and telephone numbers.
(2) Positive darkfield examinations for
syphilis, all reactive prenatal and delivery STS titers, all reactive STS
titers on infants less than one year old and STS titers of 1:8 and above shall
be reported within 24 hours by telephone to the HIV/STD Prevention and Care
Branch at (919) 733‑7301, or the HIV/STD Prevention and Care Branch
Regional Office where the laboratory is located.
(3) With the exception of positive laboratory
tests for human immunodeficiency virus, positive laboratory tests as defined in
G.S. 130A-139(1) and 10A NCAC 41A .0101(c) shall be reported to the Division of
Public Health electronically, by mail, by secure telefax or by telephone within
the time periods specified for each reportable disease or condition in 10A NCAC
41A .0101(a). Confirmed positive laboratory tests for human immunodeficiency
virus as defined in 10A NCAC 41A .0101(b) and for CD4 results defined in 10A NCAC
41A .0101(c)(4) shall be reported to the HIV/STD Prevention and Care Branch
within 24 hours of obtaining reportable test results. Reports shall include as
much of the following information as the laboratory possesses:
(A) the specific name of the test performed;
(B) the source of the specimen;
(C) the collection date(s);
(D) the patient's name, age, race, sex, address, and
county; and
(E) the submitting physician's name, address, and
telephone number.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑134; 130A‑135;
130A‑138; 130A‑139; 130A‑141;
Temporary Rule Eff. February
1, 1988, for a period of 180 days to expire on July
29, 1988;
Eff. March 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. October
1, 1994; February 3, 1992; December 1, 1991; May
1, 1991;
Temporary Amendment Eff. December
16, 1994, for a period of 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes
effective, whichever is sooner;
Temporary Amendment Expired June
16, 1995;
Amended Eff. December 1, 2007; November 1, 2007; August
1, 2005, April 1, 2003; August 1, 1998.
10A NCAC 41A .0103 DUTIES OF LOCAL HEALTH DIRECTOR: REPORT
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
(a) Upon receipt of a report of a communicable disease or
condition pursuant to 10A NCAC 41A .0101, the local health director shall:
(1) immediately investigate the circumstances
surrounding the occurrence of the disease or condition to determine the
authenticity of the report and the identity of all persons for whom control
measures are required. This investigation shall include the collection and
submission for laboratory examination of specimens necessary to assist in the
diagnosis and indicate the duration of control measures;
(2) determine what control measures have been
given and ensure that proper control measures as provided in 10A NCAC 41A .0201
have been given and are being complied with;
(3) forward the report as follows:
(A) The local health director shall forward all
authenticated reports made pursuant to G.S. 130A‑135 to 137 of syphilis,
chancroid, granuloma inguinale, and lymphogranuloma venereum within seven days
to the regional office of the Division of Public Health. In addition, the
local health director shall telephone reports of all cases of primary,
secondary, and early latent (under one year's duration) syphilis to the
regional office of the HIV/STD Prevention and Care Branch within 24 hours of
diagnosis at the health department or report by a physician.
(B) The local health director shall telephone all
laboratory reports of reactive syphilis serologies to the regional office of
the Division of Public Health within 24 hours of receipt if the person tested
is pregnant. This shall also be done for all other persons tested unless the
dilution is less than 1:8 and the person is known to be over 25 years of age or
has been previously treated. In addition, the written reports shall be sent to
the regional office of the Division of Public Health within seven days.
(C) Except as provided in (a)(3)(A) and (B) of this
Rule, a local health director who receives a report pursuant to 10A NCAC 41A
.0102 regarding a person residing in that jurisdiction shall forward the
authenticated report to the Division of Public Health within seven days.
(D) Except as provided in (a)(3)(A) and (B) of this
Rule, a local health director who receives a report pursuant to 10A NCAC 41A
.0102 regarding a person who resides in another jurisdiction in North Carolina
shall forward the report to the local health director of that jurisdiction
within 24 hours. A duplicate report card marked "copy" shall be
forwarded to the Division of Epidemiology within seven days.
(E) A local health director who receives a report
pursuant to 10A NCAC 41A .0102 regarding a person who resided outside of North
Carolina at the time of onset of the illness shall forward the report to the
Division of Public Health within 24 hours.
(b) If an outbreak exists, the local health director shall
submit to the Division of Public Health within 30 days a written report of the
investigation, its findings, and the actions taken to control the outbreak and
prevent a recurrence.
(c) Whenever an outbreak of a disease or condition occurs
which is not required to be reported by 10A NCAC 41A .0101 but which represents
a significant threat to the public health, the local health director shall give
appropriate control measures consistent with 10A NCAC 41A .0200, and inform the
Division of Public Health of the circumstances of the outbreak within seven
days.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑141; 130A‑144;
Temporary Rule Eff. February 1, 1988, for a period of 180
days to expire on July 29, 1988;
Eff. March 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. April 1, 2003; December 1, 1991; September
1, 1990.
10A NCAC 41A .0104 RELEASE OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE RECORDS:
RESEARCH PURPOSES
(a) A person may request, for bona fide research purposes,
the release of records which pertain to a communicable disease or communicable
condition and which identify individuals. The request shall be in writing and
shall contain the following information:
(1) Name of organization requesting the data;
(2) Names of principal investigators;
(3) Name of project;
(4) Purpose of project;
(5) Description of the proposed use of the
data, including protocols for contacting patients, relatives, and service
providers;
(6) Descriptions of measures to protect the
security of the data;
(7) An assurance that the data will not be used
for purposes other than those described in the protocol;
(8) An assurance that the data will be properly
disposed of upon completion of the project; and
(9) An assurance that the results of the
project will be provided to the custodian of the records.
(b) The request for release of the records shall be granted
or denied in writing based upon the following considerations:
(1) Whether the objectives of the project
require patient identifying information;
(2) Whether the objective of the project can be
reached with the use of the data;
(3) Whether the project has a reasonable chance
of answering a legitimate research question;
(4) Whether the project might jeopardize the
ability of the Epidemiology Division to obtain reports and information
regarding communicable diseases and communicable conditions;
(5) Whether the patient's right to privacy
would be adequately protected.
History Note: Temporary Rule Eff. February
1, 1988, for a period of 180 days to expire on July
29, 1988;
Authority G.S. 130A‑143(9);
Eff. March 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. September 1, 1991.
10a ncac 41a .0105 Hospital Emergency Department Data
Reporting
Hospitals, as defined in G.S. 130A-480(d), shall submit
electronically to the Division of Public Health the following electronically
available emergency department data elements for all emergency department
visits:
(1) Patient record number or other unique
identification number;
(2) Patient date of birth and age;
(3) Patient's sex;
(4) City of residence;
(5) County of residence;
(6) Five digit ZIP code;
(7) Alpha numeric patient control number assigned by
the hospital for each record (the Visit Identification Number);
(8) Emergency department facility identification
number;
(9) Projected payor source;
(10) Date and time of emergency department visit (first
documented time);
(11) Mode of transport to the emergency department;
(12) PreMIS identification number, if transported by EMS;
(13) Chief complaint;
(14) Initial temperature reading and route;
(15) Initial systolic and initial diastolic blood
pressure;
(16) Triage Notes (brief description of patient's/family's
self-reported illness episode, including symptoms, duration of symptoms, and
reasons for visit [in addition to Chief Complaint] as presented by the patient
or family to the triage nurse upon arrival at the emergency department) – this
element is optional;
(17) Initial emergency department acuity assessment;
(18) Coded cause of injury (ICD-9-CM, if injury related
to diagnosis);
(19) Emergency department procedures, up to ten (CPT or
ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM);
(20) Emergency department disposition;
(21) Emergency department disposition diagnosis
description; and
(22) Emergency department disposition diagnosis codes,
one primary and up to ten additional (ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM).
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-480;
Eff. January 1, 2005.
10A NCAC 41A .0106 Reporting of Health Care-Associated
Infections
(a) The following definitions apply throughout this Rule:
(1) "Hospital" means any facility
designated as such in G.S. 131E-76(3).
(2) "National Healthcare Safety Network"
is an internet-based surveillance system managed by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. This system is designed to be used for the direct,
standardized reporting of healthcare quality information, including health
care-associated infections, by health care facilities to public health
entities.
(3) "Health care-associated infection"
means a localized or systemic condition in the patient resulting from an
adverse reaction to the presence of an infectious agent(s) or its toxin(s) with
no evidence that the infection was present or incubating when the patient was
admitted to the health care setting.
(4) "Denominator or summary data"
refers to referent or baseline data required to generate meaningful statistics
for communicating health care-associated infection rates.
(5) "The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare
Services - Inpatient Prospective Payment System (CMS – IPPS) rules" are
regulations promulgated for the disbursement of operating costs by the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services for acute care hospital stays under Medicare
Part A based on prospectively set rates for care.
(b) Hospitals shall electronically report all health
care-associated infections required by Paragraph (c) of this Rule through the
National Healthcare Safety Network and shall make the data available to the
Department. Hospitals also shall:
(1) Report all specified health care-associated
infections within 30 days following the end of every calendar month during
which the infection was identified;
(2) Report all required health care-associated
infection denominator or summary data for healthcare-associated infections
within 30 days following the end of every calendar month; and,
(3) Comply with all reporting requirements for
general participation in the National Healthcare Safety Network.
(c) Except as provided in rules of this Section, hospitals
shall report the healthcare-associated infections required by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services listed in the CMS-IPPS rules beginning on the
dates specified therein. A summary of the HAI reporting requirements from the current
copy of the CMS-IPPS rules may be obtained through the CMS QualityNet site at
http://www.qualitynet.org/dcs/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=QnetPublic%2FPage%2FQnetTier2&cid=1228760487021
The CMS IPPS rules themselves can be obtained from the CMS
IPPS website at http://www.cms.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/IPPS2011/list.asp#TopOfPage
and
http://www.cms.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/FR2012/list.asp#TopOfPage.
A copy of the current CMS-IPPS rules, applicable to this section, is available
for inspection in the Division of Public Health, 225 N. McDowell Street, Raleigh
NC 27601.
(d) Beginning October 1, 2012 and quarterly thereafter, the
Department shall release reports to the public on health care-associated
infection(s) in North Carolina.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑150;
Temporary Adoption Eff. November 30, 2011;
Eff. October 1, 2012.
CHAPTER 41 – HEALTH: EPIDEMIOLOGY
subchapter 41A – communicable disease control
section .0200 - CONTROL MEASURES FOR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
10A NCAC 41A .0201 CONTROL MEASURES - GENERAL
(a) Except as provided in Rules of this Section, the
recommendations and guidelines for testing, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up,
and prevention of transmission for each disease and condition specified by the
American Public Health Association in its publication, Control of Communicable
Diseases Manual shall be the required control measures. Control of Communicable
Diseases Manual is hereby incorporated by reference including subsequent
amendments and editions. Guidelines and recommended actions published by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall supercede those contained in
the Control of Communicable Disease Manual and are likewise incorporated by
reference, including subsequent amendments and editions. Copies of the Control
of Communicable Diseases Manual may be purchased from the American Public
Health Association, Publication Sales Department, Post Office Box 753, Waldora,
MD 20604 for a cost of twenty-two dollars ($22.00) each plus five dollars
($5.00) shipping and handling. Copies of Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention guidelines contained in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402 for a total cost of three dollars and fifty cents
($3.50) each. Copies of both publications are available for inspection in the
Division of Public Health, 1915 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1915.
(b) In interpreting and implementing the specific control
measures adopted in Paragraph (a) of this Rule, and in devising control
measures for outbreaks designated by the State Health Director and for
communicable diseases and conditions for which a specific control measure is
not provided by this Rule, the following principles shall be used:
(1) control measures shall be those which can
reasonably be expected to decrease the risk of transmission and which are
consistent with recent scientific and public health information;
(2) for diseases or conditions transmitted by
the airborne route, the control measures shall require physical isolation for
the duration of infectivity;
(3) for diseases or conditions transmitted by
the fecal-oral route, the control measures shall require exclusions from
situations in which transmission can be reasonably expected to occur, such as
work as a paid or voluntary food handler or attendance or work in a day care
center for the duration of infectivity;
(4) for diseases or conditions transmitted by
sexual or the blood-borne route, control measures shall require prohibition of
donation of blood, tissue, organs, or semen, needle-sharing, and sexual contact
in a manner likely to result in transmission for the duration of infectivity.
(c) Persons with congenital rubella syndrome, tuberculosis,
and carriers of Salmonella typhi and hepatitis B who change residence to a
different local health department jurisdiction shall notify the local health
director in both jurisdictions.
(d) Isolation and quarantine orders for communicable
diseases and communicable conditions for which control measures have been
established shall require compliance with applicable control measures and shall
state penalties for failure to comply. These isolation and quarantine orders
may be no more restrictive than the applicable control measures.
(e) An individual enrolled in an epidemiologic or clinical
study shall not be required to meet the provisions of 10A NCAC 41A .0201 -
.0209 which conflict with the study protocol if:
(1) the protocol is approved for this purpose
by the State Health Director because of the scientific and public health value
of the study, and
(2) the individual fully participates in and
completes the study.
(f) A determination of significant risk of transmission
under this Subchapter shall be made only after consideration of the following
factors, if known:
(1) The type of body fluid or tissue;
(2) The volume of body fluid or tissue;
(3) The concentration of pathogen;
(4) The virulence of the pathogen; and
(5) The type of exposure, ranging from intact
skin to non-intact skin, or mucous membrane.
(g) The term "household contacts" as used in this
Subchapter means any person residing in the same domicile as the infected
person.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-135; 130A-144;
Temporary Rule Eff. February 1, 1988, for a period of 180
days to expire on July 29, 1988;
Eff. March 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. February 1, 1990; November 1, 1989; August
1, 1988;
Recodified Paragraphs (d), (e) to Rule .0202; Paragraph
(i) to Rule .0203 Eff. June 11, 1991;
Amended Eff. April 1, 2003; October 1, 1992; December 1,
1991; August 1, 1998;
Emergency Amendment Eff. January 24, 2005;
Emergency Amendment Expired on April 16, 2005.
10A NCAC 41A .0202 CONTROL MEASURES – HIV
The following are the control measures for the Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
infection:
(1) Infected persons shall:
(a) refrain from sexual intercourse unless
condoms are used; exercise caution when using condoms due to possible condom
failure;
(b) not share needles or syringes, or any other
drug-related equipment, paraphernalia, or works that may be contaminated with
blood through previous use;
(c) not donate or sell blood, plasma, platelets,
other blood products, semen, ova, tissues, organs, or breast milk;
(d) have a skin test for tuberculosis;
(e) notify future sexual intercourse partners of
the infection;
(f) if the time of initial infection is known,
notify persons who have been sexual intercourse and needle partners since the
date of infection; and,
(g) if the date of initial infection is unknown,
notify persons who have been sexual intercourse and needle partners for the
previous year.
(2) The attending physician shall:
(a) give the control measures in Item (1) of
this Rule to infected patients, in accordance with 10A NCAC 41A .0210;
(b) If the attending physician knows the
identity of the spouse of an HIV-infected patient and has not, with the consent
of the infected patient, notified and counseled the spouse, the physician shall
list the spouse on a form provided by the Division of Public Health and shall
mail the form to the Division. The Division shall undertake to counsel the
spouse. The attending physician's responsibility to notify exposed and
potentially exposed persons is satisfied by fulfilling the requirements of
Sub-Items (2)(a) and (b) of this Rule;
(c) advise infected persons concerning clean-up
of blood and other body fluids;
(d) advise infected persons concerning the risk
of perinatal transmission and transmission by breastfeeding.
(3) The attending physician of a child who is infected
with HIV and who may pose a significant risk of transmission in the school or
day care setting because of open, oozing wounds or because of behavioral
abnormalities such as biting shall notify the local health director. The local
health director shall consult with the attending physician and investigate the following
circumstances:
(a) If the child is in school or scheduled for
admission and the local health director determines that there may be a significant
risk of transmission, the local health director shall consult with an
interdisciplinary committee, which shall include school personnel, a medical
expert, and the child's parent or guardian to assist in the investigation and
determination of risk. The local health director shall notify the
superintendent or private school director of the need to appoint such an
interdisciplinary committee.
(i) If the superintendent or private school
director establishes such a committee within three days of notification, the
local health director shall consult with this committee.
(ii) If the superintendent or private school director
does not establish such a committee within three days of notification, the
local health director shall establish such a committee.
(b) If the child is in school or scheduled for
admission and the local health director determines, after consultation with the
committee, that a significant risk of transmission exists, the local health
director shall:
(i) notify the parents;
(ii) notify the committee;
(iii) assist the committee in determining whether
an adjustment can be made to the student's school program to eliminate
significant risks of transmission;
(iv) determine if an alternative educational
setting is necessary to protect the public health;
(v) instruct the superintendent or private
school director concerning protective measures to be implemented in the
alternative educational setting developed by school personnel; and
(vi) consult with the superintendent or private
school director to determine which school personnel directly involved with the
child need to be notified of the HIV infection in order to prevent transmission
and ensure that these persons are instructed regarding the necessity for
protecting confidentiality.
(c) If the child is in day care and the local
health director determines that there is a significant risk of transmission,
the local health director shall notify the parents that the child must be
placed in an alternate child care setting that eliminates the significant risk
of transmission.
(4) When health care workers or other persons have a
needlestick or nonsexual non-intact skin or mucous membrane exposure to blood
or body fluids that, if the source were infected with HIV, would pose a significant
risk of HIV transmission, the following shall apply:
(a) When the source person is known:
(i) The attending physician or occupational
health care provider responsible for the exposed person, if other than the
attending physician of the person whose blood or body fluids is the source of
the exposure, shall notify the attending physician of the source that an
exposure has occurred. The attending physician of the source person shall
discuss the exposure with the source and, unless the source is already known to
be infected, shall test the source for HIV infection without consent unless it
reasonably appears that the test cannot be performed without endangering the
safety of the source person or the person administering the test. If the
source person cannot be tested, an existing specimen, if one exists, shall be
tested. The attending physician of the exposed person shall be notified of the
infection status of the source.
(ii) The attending physician of the exposed
person shall inform the exposed person about the infection status of the
source, offer testing for HIV infection as soon as possible after exposure and
at reasonable intervals up to one year to determine whether transmission
occurred, and, if the source person was HIV infected, give the exposed person
the control measures listed in Sub-Items (1)(a) through (c) of this Rule. The
attending physician of the exposed person shall instruct the exposed person
regarding the necessity for protecting confidentiality.
(b) When the source person is unknown, the
attending physician of the exposed persons shall inform the exposed person of
the risk of transmission and offer testing for HIV infection as soon as
possible after exposure and at reasonable intervals up to one year to determine
whether transmission occurred.
(c) A health care facility may release the name
of the attending physician of a source person upon request of the attending
physician of an exposed person.
(5) The attending physician shall notify the local
health director when the physician, in good faith, has reasonable cause to
suspect a patient infected with HIV is not following or cannot follow control
measures and is thereby causing a significant risk of transmission. Any other
person may notify the local health director when the person, in good faith, has
reasonable cause to suspect a person infected with HIV is not following control
measures and is thereby causing a significant risk of transmission.
(6) When the local health director is notified pursuant
to Item (5) of this Rule, of a person who is mentally ill or mentally retarded,
the local health director shall confer with the attending mental health
physician or mental health authority and the physician, if any, who notified
the local health director to develop a plan to prevent transmission.
(7) The Division of Public Health shall notify the
Director of Health Services of the North Carolina Department of Correction and
the prison facility administrator when any person confined in a state prison is
determined to be infected with HIV. If the prison facility administrator, in
consultation with the Director of Health Services, determines that a confined
HIV infected person is not following or cannot follow prescribed control
measures, thereby presenting a significant risk of HIV transmission, the
administrator and the Director shall develop and implement jointly a plan to
prevent transmission, including making recommendations to the unit housing
classification committee.
(8) The local health director shall ensure that the
health plan for local jails include education of jail staff and prisoners about
HIV, how it is transmitted, and how to avoid acquiring or transmitting this
infection.
(9) Local health departments shall provide counseling
and testing for HIV infection at no charge to the patient. Third party payors
may be billed for HIV counseling and testing when such services are provided
and the patient provides written consent.
(10) HIV pre-test counseling is not required. Post-test
counseling for persons infected with HIV is required, must be individualized,
and shall include referrals for medical and psychosocial services and control
measures.
(11) A local health department or the Department may
release information regarding an infected person pursuant to G.S. 130A-143(3)
only when the local health department or the Department has provided direct
medical care to the infected person and refers the person to or consults with
the health care provider to whom the information is released.
(12) Notwithstanding Rule .0201(d) of this Section, a
local or state health director may require, as a part of an isolation order
issued in accordance with G.S. 130A-145, compliance with a plan to assist the
individual to comply with control measures. The plan shall be designed to meet
the specific needs of the individual and may include one or more of the
following available and appropriate services:
(a) substance abuse counseling and treatment;
(b) mental health counseling and treatment; and
(c) education and counseling sessions about HIV,
HIV transmission, and behavior change required to prevent transmission.
(13) The Division of Public Health shall conduct a
partner notification program to assist in the notification and counseling of
partners of HIV infected persons.
(14) Every pregnant woman shall be offered HIV testing by
her attending physician at her first prenatal visit and in the third
trimester. The attending physician shall test the pregnant woman for HIV
infection, unless the pregnant woman refuses to provide informed consent
pursuant to G.S. 130A-148(h). If there is no record at labor and delivery of
an HIV test result during the current pregnancy for the pregnant woman, the
attending physician shall inform the pregnant woman that an HIV test will be
performed, explain the reasons for testing, and the woman shall be tested for
HIV without consent using a rapid HIV test unless it reasonably appears that
the test cannot be performed without endangering the safety of the pregnant
woman or the person administering the test. If the pregnant woman cannot be
tested, an existing specimen, if one exists that was collected within the last
24 hours, shall be tested using a rapid HIV test. The attending physician must
provide the woman with the test results as soon as possible. However, labor
and delivery providers who do not currently have the capacity to perform rapid
HIV testing are not required to use a rapid HIV test until January 1, 2009.
(15) If an infant is delivered by a woman with no record
of the result of an HIV test conducted during the pregnancy and if the woman
was not tested for HIV during labor and delivery, the fact that the mother has
not been tested creates a reasonable suspicion pursuant to G.S. 130A-148(h)
that the newborn has HIV infection and the infant shall be tested for HIV. An
infant born in the previous 12 hours shall be tested using a rapid HIV test.
However, providers who do not currently have the capacity to perform rapid HIV
testing shall not be required to use a rapid HIV test until January 1, 2009.
(16) Testing for HIV may be offered as part of routine
laboratory testing panels using a general consent which is obtained from the
patient for treatment and routine laboratory testing, so long as the patient is
notified that they are being tested for HIV and given the opportunity to
refuse.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑135; 130A‑144;
130A‑145; 130A‑148(h);
Temporary Rule Eff. February
1, 1988, for a period of 180 days to expire on July
29, 1988;
Eff. March 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. February
1, 1990; November 1, 1989; June 1, 1989;
Temporary Amendment Eff. January
7, 1991 for a period of 180 days to expire on July
6, 1991;
Amended Eff. May
1, 1991;
Recodified from 15A NCAC 19A .0201 (d) and (e) Eff. June
11, 1991;
Amended Eff. August
1, 1995; October 1, 1994; January 4, 1994; October
1, 1992;
Temporary Amendment Eff. February
18, 2002; June 1, 2001;
Amended Eff. November 1, 2007; April 1, 2005; April 1,
2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0203 CONTROL MEASURES ‑ HEPATITIS B
(a) The following are the control measures for hepatitis B
infection. The infected persons shall:
(1) refrain from sexual intercourse unless
condoms are used except when the partner is known to be infected with or immune
to hepatitis B;
(2) not share needles or syringes;
(3) not donate or sell blood, plasma,
platelets, other blood products, semen, ova, tissues, organs, or breast milk;
(4) if the time of initial infection is known,
identify to the local health director all sexual intercourse and needle
partners since the date of infection; and, if the date of initial infection is
unknown, identify persons who have been sexual intercourse or needle partners
during the previous six months;
(5) for the duration of the infection, notify
future sexual intercourse partners of the infection and refer them to their
attending physician or the local health director for control measures; and for
the duration of the infection, notify the local health director of all new
sexual intercourse partners;
(6) identify to the local health director all
current household contacts;
(7) be tested six months after diagnosis to
determine if they are chronic carriers, and when necessary to determine
appropriate control measures for persons exposed pursuant to Paragraph (b) of
this Rule;
(8) comply with all control measures for
hepatitis B infection specified in Paragraph (a) of 10A NCAC 41A .0201, in
those instances where such control measures do not conflict with other
requirements of this Rule.
(b) The following are the control measures for persons
reasonably suspected of being exposed:
(1) when a person has had a sexual intercourse
exposure to hepatitis B infection, the person shall be tested;
(2) after testing, when a susceptible person
has had sexual intercourse exposure to hepatitis B infection, the person shall
be given a dose appropriate for body weight of hepatitis B immune globulin and
hepatitis B vaccination as soon as possible; hepatitis B immune globulin shall
be given no later than two weeks after the last exposure;
(3) when a person is a household contact,
sexual intercourse or needle sharing contact of a person who has remained
infected with hepatitis B for six months or longer, the partner or household
contact, if susceptible and at risk of continued exposure, shall be vaccinated
against hepatitis B;
(4) when a health care worker or other person
has a needlestick, non‑intact skin, or mucous membrane exposure to blood
or body fluids that, if the source were infected with the hepatitis B virus,
would pose a significant risk of hepatitis B transmission, the following shall
apply:
(A) when the source is known, the source person shall be
tested for hepatitis B infection, unless already known to be infected;
(B) when the source is infected with hepatitis B and the
exposed person is:
(i) vaccinated, the exposed person shall be tested
for anti‑HBs and, if anti-HBs is unknown or less than 10
milli-International Units per ml, receive hepatitis B vaccination and hepatitis
B immune globulin as soon as possible; hepatitis B immune globulin shall be
given no later than seven days after exposure;
(ii) not vaccinated, the exposed person shall be
given a dose appropriate for body weight of hepatitis B immune globulin
immediately and begin vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine within seven days;
(C) when the source is unknown, the determination of
whether hepatitis B immunization is required shall be made in accordance with
current published Control of Communicable Diseases Manual and Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Copies of the Control of
Communicable Diseases Manual may be purchased from the American Public Health
Association, Publication Sales Department, Post Office Box 753, Waldora, MD
20604 for a cost of twenty-two dollars ($22.00) each plus five dollars ($5.00)
shipping and handling. Copies of Center for Disease Control and Prevention
guidelines contained in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report may be
purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402 for a cost of three dollars fifty cents ($3.50)
each. Copies of both publications are available for inspection in the General
Communicable Disease Control Branch, Cooper Memorial Health Building,
225 N. McDowell Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603-1382.
(5) infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers
shall be given hepatitis B vaccination and hepatitis B immune globulin within
12 hours of birth or as soon as possible after the infant is stabilized.
Additional doses of hepatitis B vaccine shall be given in accordance with current
published Control of Communicable Diseases Manual and Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention Guidelines. The infant shall be tested for the presence
of HBsAg and anti-HBs within three to nine months after the last dose of the
regular series of vaccine; if required because of failure to develop immunity
after the regular series, additional doses shall be given in accordance with
current published Control of Communicable Diseases Manual and Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Copies of the Control of
Communicable Diseases Manual may be purchased from the American Public Health
Association, Publication Sales Department, Post Office Box 753, Waldora, MD
20604 for a cost of twenty-two dollars ($22.00) each plus five dollars ($5.00)
shipping and handling. Copies of Center for Disease Control and Prevention
guidelines contained in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report may be
purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402 for a cost of three dollars fifty cents ($3.50)
each. Copies of both publications are available for inspection in the General
Communicable Disease Control Branch, Cooper Memorial Health Building,
225 N. McDowell Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603-1382;
(6) infants born to mothers whose HBsAg status
is unknown shall be given hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth and the
mother tested. If the tested mother is found to be HBsAg-positive, the infant
shall be given hepatitis B immune globulin as soon as possible and no later
than seven days after birth;
(7) when an acutely infected person is a
primary caregiver of a susceptible infant less than 12 months of age, the
infant shall receive an appropriate dose of hepatitis B immune globulin and
hepatitis vaccinations in accordance with current published Control of
Communicable Diseases Manual and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Guidelines. Copies of the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual may be
purchased from the American Public Health Association, Publication Sales
Department, Post Office Box 753, Waldora, MD 20604 for a cost of twenty-two
dollars ($22.00) each plus five dollars ($5.00) shipping and handling. Copies
of Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines contained in the Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report may be purchased from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402
for a cost of three dollars fifty cents ($3.50) each. Copies of both
publications are available for inspection in the General Communicable Disease
Control Branch, Cooper Memorial Health Building, 225 N. McDowell Street, Raleigh,
North Carolina 27603-1382.
(c) The attending physician shall advise all patients known
to be at high risk, including injection drug users, men who have sex with men,
hemodialysis patients, and patients who receive multiple transfusions of blood
products, that they should be vaccinated against hepatitis B if susceptible.
The attending physician shall also recommend that hepatitis B chronic carriers
receive hepatitis A vaccine (if susceptible).
(d) The following persons shall be tested for and reported
in accordance with 10A NCAC 41A .0101 if positive for hepatitis B infection:
(1) pregnant women unless known to be infected;
and
(2) donors of blood, plasma, platelets, other
blood products, semen, ova, tissues, or organs.
(e) The attending physician of a child who is infected with
hepatitis B virus and who may pose a significant risk of transmission in the
school or day care setting because of open, oozing wounds or because of
behavioral abnormalities such as biting shall notify the local health
director. The local health director shall consult with the attending physician
and investigate the circumstances.
(f) If the child referred to in Paragraph (e) of this Rule
is in school or scheduled for admission and the local health director
determines that there may be a significant risk of transmission, the local
health director shall consult with an interdisciplinary committee, which shall
include school personnel, a medical expert, and the child's parent or guardian
to assist in the investigation and determination of risk. The local health
director shall notify the superintendent or private school director of the need
to appoint such an interdisciplinary committee. If the superintendent or
private school director establishes such a committee within three days of
notification, the local health director shall consult with this committee. If
the superintendent or private school director does not establish such a
committee within three days of notification, the local health director shall
establish such a committee.
(g) If the child referred to in Paragraph (e) of this Rule
is in school or scheduled for admission and the local health director determines,
after consultation with the committee, that a significant risk of transmission
exists, the local health director shall:
(1) notify the parents;
(2) notify the committee;
(3) assist the committee in determining whether
an adjustment can be made to the student's school program to eliminate
significant risks of transmission;
(4) determine if an alternative educational
setting is necessary to protect the public health;
(5) instruct the superintendent or private
school director concerning protective measures to be implemented in the
alternative educational setting developed by school personnel; and
(6) consult with the superintendent or private
school director to determine which school personnel directly involved with the
child need to be notified of the hepatitis B virus infection in order to
prevent transmission and ensure that these persons are instructed regarding the
necessity for protecting confidentiality.
(h) If the child referred to in Paragraph (e) of this Rule
is in day care and the local health director determines that there is a
significant risk of transmission, the local health director shall notify the
parents that the child must be placed in an alternate child care setting that
eliminates the significant risk of transmission.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑135; 130A‑144
Eff. February 1, 1990;
Amended Eff. October
1, 1990;
Recodified from 15A NCAC 19A .0201(i) Eff. June
11, 1991;
Amended Eff. August
1, 1998; October 1, 1994;
Temporary Amendment Eff. February
18, 2002;
Amended Eff. April
1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0204 CONTROL MEASURES - SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
DISEASES
(a) Local health departments shall provide diagnosis,
testing, treatment, follow-up, and preventive services for syphilis, gonorrhea,
chlamydia, nongonococcal urethritis, mucopurulent cervicitis, chancroid,
lymphogranuloma venereum, and granuloma inguinale. These services shall be
provided upon request and at no charge to the patient.
(b) Persons infected with, exposed to, or reasonably
suspected of being infected with gonorrhea, chlamydia, non-gonococcal
urethritis, and mucopurulent cervicitis shall:
(1) Refrain from sexual intercourse until
examined and diagnosed and treatment is completed, and all lesions are healed;
(2) Be tested, treated, and re-evaluated in
accordance with the STD Treatment Guidelines published by the U.S. Public
Health Service. The recommendations contained in the STD Treatment Guidelines are
the required control measures for testing, treatment, and follow-up for
gonorrhea, chlamydia, nongonococcal urethritis, and mucopurulent cervicitis,
and are incorporated by reference including subsequent amendments and
editions. A copy of this publication is on file for public viewing with the
and a copy may be obtained free of charge by writing the Division of Public
Health, 1915 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1915, and
requesting a copy. However, urethral Gram stains may be used for diagnosis of
males rather than gonorrhea cultures unless treatment has failed;
(3) Notify all sexual partners from 30 days
before the onset of symptoms to completion of therapy that they must be
evaluated by a physician or local health department.
(c) Persons infected with, exposed to, or reasonably
suspected of being infected with syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma
inguinale, and chancroid shall:
(1) Refrain from sexual intercourse until
examined and diagnosed and treatment is completed, and all lesions are healed;
(2) Be tested, treated, and re-evaluated in
accordance with the STD Treatment Guidelines published by t h e U.S. Public
Health Service. The recommendations contained in the STD Treatment Guidelines are
the required control measures for testing, treatment, and follow-up for
syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma inguinale, and chancroid, except
that chancroid cultures are not required;
(3) Give names to a disease intervention
specialist employed by the local health department or by the Division of Public
Health for contact tracing of all sexual partners and others as listed in this
Rule:
(A) for syphilis:
(i) congenital - parents and siblings;
(ii) primary - all partners from three months before
the onset of symptoms to completion of therapy and healing of lesions;
(iii) secondary - all partners from six months before
the onset of symptoms to completion of therapy and healing of lesions; and
(iv) latent - all partners from 12 months before the
onset of symptoms to completion of therapy and healing of lesions and, in
addition, for women with late latent, spouses and children;
(B) for lymphogranuloma venereum:
(i) if there is a primary lesion and no buboes, all
partners from 30 days before the onset of symptoms to completion of therapy and
healing of lesions; and
(ii) if there are buboes all partners from six
months before the onset of symptoms to completion of therapy and healing of
lesions;
(C) for granuloma inguinale - all partners from three
months before the onset of symptoms to completion of therapy and healing of
lesions; and
(D) or chancroid - all partners from ten days before the
onset of symptoms to completion of therapy and healing of lesions.
(d) All persons evaluated or reasonably suspected of being
infected with any sexually transmitted disease shall be tested for syphilis,
encouraged to be tested confidentially for HIV, and counseled about how to
reduce the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted disease, including the use of
condoms.
(e) All pregnant women shall be tested for syphilis,
chlamydia and gonorrhea at the first prenatal visit. All pregnant women shall
be tested for syphilis between 28 and 30 weeks of gestation and at delivery. Hospitals
shall determine the syphilis serologic status of the mother prior to discharge
of the newborn so that if necessary the newborn can be evaluated and treated
as provided in (c)(2) of this rule. Pregnant women 25 years of age and younger
shall be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea in the third trimester or at delivery
if the woman was not tested in the third trimester.
(f) Any woman who delivers a stillborn infant shall be
tested for syphilis.
(g) All newborn infants shall be treated prophylactically
against gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum in accordance with the STD Treatment
Guidelines published by the U.S. Public Health Service. The recommendations
contained in the STD Treatment Guidelines are the required prophylactic
treatment against gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.
History Note: Authority G. S. 130A-135; 130A-144;
Eff. December 1, 1991;
Amended Eff. April 1, 2008; November 1, 2007; April 1,
2003; July 1, 1993.
10A NCAC 41A .0205 CONTROL MEASURES – TUBERCULOSIS
(a) The local health director shall investigate all cases
of tuberculosis disease and their contacts in accordance with recommendations
and guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
which are hereby incorporated by reference including subsequent amendments and
editions. The recommendations and guidelines are the required control measures
for tuberculosis, except as otherwise provided in this Rule. A copy of the
recommendations and guidelines is available by contacting the Division of
Public Health, 1931 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1931 or
by accessing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/tb.
(b) The following persons shall have a tuberculin skin test
(TST) or Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) administered in accordance with
recommendations and guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention:
(1) Household and other high priority contacts
of active cases of pulmonary and laryngeal tuberculosis. For purposes of this
Rule, a high priority contact is defined in accordance with Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention guidelines. If the contact's initial skin or IGRA test
is negative, and the case is confirmed by culture, a repeat skin or IGRA test
shall be performed 8 to 10 weeks after the exposure has ended;
(2) Persons reasonably suspected of having
tuberculosis disease;
(3) Inmates in the custody of the Department of
Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction upon incarceration, and annually
thereafter;
(4) Persons with HIV infection or AIDS.
(c) The following persons shall be tested using a two-step
skin test method or a single IGRA test, administered in accordance with
recommendations and guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention:
(1) Staff with direct inmate contact in the
Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction upon employment;
(2) Staff of licensed nursing homes or adult
care homes upon employment;
(3) Residents upon admission to licensed nursing
homes or adult care homes. If the individual is being admitted directly from
another hospital, licensed nursing home or adult care home in North Carolina
and there is documentation of a two-step skin test or a single IGRA test, the
individual does not need to be retested;
(4) Staff in adult day care centers providing
care for persons with HIV infection or AIDS upon employment.
(d) Except as provided in the last sentence of Subparagraph
(c)(3) of this Rule, persons listed in Paragraph (c) of this rule shall be
required only to have a single TST or IGRA in the following situations:
(1) If the person has ever had a two-step skin
test; or
(2) If the person has had a single skin test
within the last twelve months.
(e) Persons with a positive tuberculin skin test or IGRA
shall be evaluated by an interview to screen for symptoms and a chest x-ray if
they do not have a documented chest x-ray that was performed on the date of the
positive test or later.
(f) Treatment and follow-up for tuberculosis infection or
disease shall be in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(g) Persons with active tuberculosis disease shall complete
a standard multi-drug regimen, and shall be managed using Directly Observed
Therapy (DOT), which is the actual observation of medication ingestion by a
health care worker (HCW).
If a standard multi-drug regimen cannot be used, the
attending physician shall consult with the state Tuberculosis Medical Director
or designee on the treatment plan.
(h) Persons with suspected or known active pulmonary or
laryngeal tuberculosis who have sputum smears positive for acid fast bacilli shall
be considered infectious and shall be managed using airborne precautions including
respiratory isolation or isolation in their home with no new persons exposed.
These individuals are considered noninfectious and use of airborne precautions,
precautions including respiratory isolation or isolation in their home may be
discontinued when:
(1) Sputum specimen results meet Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention criteria for discontinuation of respiratory
isolation;
(2) They have two consecutive sputum smears
collected at least eight hours apart which are negative;
(3) It has been at least seven days since the
last positive sputum smear; and
(4) They have been compliant on tuberculosis
medications to which the organism is susceptible and there is evidence of
clinical response to tuberculosis treatment.
(i) Persons with suspected or known active pulmonary or
laryngeal tuberculosis who are initially sputum smear negative require
respiratory isolation until they have been started on tuberculosis treatment to
which the organism is susceptible and there is evidence of clinical response to
treatment.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-135; 130A-144;
Eff. March 1, 1992;
Amended Eff. April 1, 2006; April 1, 2003; August 1,
1998; October 1, 1994;
Temporary Amendment Eff. August 1, 2011;
Amended Eff. July 1, 2012.
10A NCAC 41A .0206 INFECTION PREVENTION – HEALTH CARE
SETTINGS
(a) The following definitions apply throughout this Rule:
(1) "Health care organization" means
a hospital; clinic; physician, dentist, podiatrist, optometrist, or
chiropractic office; home care agency; nursing home; local health department;
community health center; mental health facility; hospice; ambulatory surgical
facility; urgent care center; emergency room; Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
agency; pharmacies where a health practitioner offers clinical services; or any
other organization that provides clinical care.
(2) "Invasive procedure" means entry
into tissues, cavities, or organs or repair of traumatic injuries. The term
includes the use of needles to puncture skin, vaginal and cesarean deliveries,
surgery, and dental procedures during which bleeding occurs or the potential
for bleeding exists.
(3) "Non-contiguous" means not
physically connected.
(b) In order to prevent transmission of HIV, hepatitis B,
hepatitis C and other bloodborne pathogens each health care organization that
performs invasive procedures shall implement a written infection control policy.
The health care organization shall ensure that health care workers in its
employ or who have staff privileges are trained in the principles of infection
control and the practices required by the policy; require and monitor
compliance with the policy; and update the policy as needed to prevent
transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other bloodborne pathogens.
The health care organization shall designate one on-site staff member for each
noncontiguous facility to direct these activities. The designated staff member
in each health care facility shall complete a course in infection control
approved by the Department. The Department shall approve a course that
addresses:
(1) Epidemiologic principles of infectious
disease;
(2) Principles and practice of asepsis;
(3) Sterilization, disinfection, and
sanitation;
(4) Universal blood and body fluid precautions;
(5) Safe injection practices;
(6) Engineering controls to reduce the risk of
sharp injuries;
(7) Disposal of sharps; and
(8) Techniques that reduce the risk of sharp
injuries to health care workers.
(c) The infection control policy required by this Rule
shall address the following components that are necessary to prevent
transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other bloodborne pathogens:
(1) Sterilization and disinfection, including a
schedule for maintenance and microbiologic monitoring of equipment; the policy
shall require documentation of maintenance and monitoring;
(2) Sanitation of rooms and equipment,
including cleaning procedures, agents, and schedules;
(3) Accessibility of infection control devices
and supplies; and
(4) Procedures to be followed in implementing
10A NCAC 41A .0202(4) and .0203(b)(4) when a health care provider or a patient
has an exposure to blood or other body fluids of another person in a manner
that poses a significant risk of transmission of HIV or hepatitis B.
(d) Health care workers and emergency responders shall,
with all patients, follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines
on blood and body fluid precautions incorporated by reference in 10A NCAC 41A
.0201.
(e) Health care workers who have exudative lesions or weeping
dermatitis shall refrain from handling patient care equipment and devices used
in performing invasive procedures and from all direct patient care that
involves the potential for contact of the patient, equipment, or devices with
the lesion or dermatitis until the condition resolves.
(f) All equipment used to puncture skin, mucous membranes,
or other tissues in medical, dental, or other settings must be disposed of in
accordance with 15A NCAC 13B .1200 after use or sterilized prior to reuse.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑144; 130A‑145;
130A-147;
Eff. October 1, 1992;
Amended Eff. January 1, 2010; December 1, 2003; July 1,
1994; January 4, 1994.
10A NCAC 41A .0207 HIV AND HEPATITIS B INFECTED HEALTH CARE
WORKERS
(a) The following definitions shall apply throughout this
Rule:
(1) "Surgical or obstetrical
procedures" means vaginal deliveries or surgical entry into tissues,
cavities, or organs. The term does not include phlebotomy; administration of
intramuscular, intradermal, or subcutaneous injections; needle biopsies; needle
aspirations; lumbar punctures; angiographic procedures; endoscopic and
bronchoscopic procedures; or placing or maintaining peripheral or central
intravascular lines.
(2) "Dental procedure" means any
dental procedure involving manipulation, cutting, or removal of oral or
perioral tissues, including tooth structure during which bleeding occurs or the
potential for bleeding exists. The term does not include the brushing of
teeth.
(b) All health care workers who perform surgical or
obstetrical procedures or dental procedures and who know themselves to be
infected with HIV or hepatitis B shall notify the State Health Director. Health
care workers who assist in these procedures in a manner that may result in
exposure of patients to their blood and who know themselves to be infected with
HIV or hepatitis B shall also notify the State Health Director. The
notification shall be made in writing to the Chief, Communicable Disease
Control Branch, 1902 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1902..
(c) The State Health Director shall investigate the
practice of any infected health care worker and the risk of transmission to
patients. The investigation may include review of medical and work records and
consultation with health care professionals who may have information necessary
to evaluate the clinical condition or practice of the infected health care
worker. The attending physician of the infected health care worker shall be
consulted. The State Health Director shall protect the confidentiality of the
infected health care worker and may disclose the worker's infection status only
when essential to the conduct of the investigation or periodic reviews pursuant
to Paragraph (h) of this Rule. When the health care worker's infection status
is disclosed, the State Health Director shall give instructions regarding the
requirement for protecting confidentiality.
(d) If the State Health Director determines that there may
be a significant risk of transmission of HIV or hepatitis B to patients, the
State Health Director shall appoint an expert panel to evaluate the risk of
transmission to patients, and review the practice, skills, and clinical
condition of the infected health care worker, as well as the nature of the
surgical or obstetrical procedures or dental procedures performed and operative
and infection control techniques used. Each expert panel shall include an
infectious disease specialist, an infection control expert, a person who
practices the same occupational specialty as the infected health care worker
and, if the health care worker is a licensed professional, a representative of
the appropriate licensure board. The panel may include other experts. The
State Health Director shall consider for appointment recommendations from
health care organizations and local societies of health care professionals.
(e) The expert panel shall review information collected by
the State Health Director and may request that the State Health Director obtain
additional information as needed. The State Health Director shall not reveal
to the panel the identity of the infected health care worker. The infected
health care worker and the health care worker's attending physician shall be
given an opportunity to present information to the panel. The panel shall make
recommendations to the State Health Director that address the following:
(1) Restrictions that are necessary to prevent
transmission from the infected health care worker to patients;
(2) Identification of patients that have been
exposed to a significant risk of transmission of HIV or hepatitis B; and
(3) Periodic review of the clinical condition
and practice of the infected health care worker.
(f) If, prior to receipt of the recommendations of the
expert panel, the State Health Director determines that immediate practice
restrictions are necessary to prevent an imminent threat to the public health,
the State Health Director shall issue an isolation order pursuant to G.S. 130A‑145.
The isolation order shall require cessation or modification of some or all
surgical or obstetrical procedures or dental procedures to the extent necessary
to prevent an imminent threat to the public health. This isolation order shall
remain in effect until an isolation order is issued pursuant to Paragraph (g)
of this Rule or until the State Health Director determines the imminent threat
to the public health no longer exists.
(g) After consideration of the recommendations of the
expert panel, the State Health Director shall issue an isolation order pursuant
to G.S. 130A‑145. The isolation order shall require any health care
worker who is allowed to continue performing surgical or obstetrical procedures
or dental procedures to, within a time period specified by the State Health
Director, successfully complete a course in infection control procedures
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services, General Communicable
Disease Control Branch, in accordance with 10A NCAC 41A .0206(e). The
isolation order shall require practice restrictions, such as cessation or
modification of some or all surgical or obstetrical procedures or dental
procedures, to the extent necessary to prevent a significant risk of
transmission of HIV or hepatitis B to patients. The isolation order shall
prohibit the performance of procedures that cannot be modified to avoid a
significant risk of transmission. If the State Health Director determines that
there has been a significant risk of transmission of HIV or hepatitis B to a
patient, the State Health Director shall notify the patient or assist the
health care worker to notify the patient.
(h) The State Health Director shall request the assistance
of one or more health care professionals to obtain information needed to
periodically review the clinical condition and practice of the infected health
care worker who performs or assists in surgical or obstetrical procedures or
dental procedures.
(i) An infected health care worker who has been evaluated
by the State Health Director shall notify the State Health Director prior to a
change in practice involving surgical or obstetrical procedures or dental
procedures. The infected health care worker shall not make the proposed change
without approval from the State Health Director. If the State Health Director
makes a determination in accordance with Paragraph (c) of this Rule that there
is a significant risk of transmission of HIV or hepatitis B to patients, the
State Health Director shall appoint an expert panel in accordance with
Paragraph (d) of this Rule. Otherwise, the State Health Director shall notify
the health care worker that he or she may make the proposed change in practice.
(j) If practice restrictions are imposed on a licensed
health care worker, a copy of the isolation order shall be provided to the
appropriate licensure board. The State Health Director shall report violations
of the isolation order to the appropriate licensure board. The licensure board
shall report to the State Health Director any information about the infected
health care worker that may be relevant to the risk of transmission of HIV or
hepatitis B to patients.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑144; 130A‑145;
Eff. October 1, 1992;
Amended Eff. April
1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0208 CONTROL MEASURES -- SMALLPOX; VACCINIA
DISEASE
(a) Guidelines and recommended actions for prevention of
the spread of smallpox and for prevention of the spread of vaccinia published
by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shall supercede those
contained in the control of Communicable Disease Manual and are incorporated by
reference, including subsequent amendments and editions. Copies of CDC
guidelines contained in the Morbidity and Mortality weekly reports may be
purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing Office, Washington
DC 20402 for a total cost of three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) each.
(b) The attending physician of a person vaccinated against
smallpox shall report to the local health department the existence of any of
the following:
(1) autoinnoculation;
(2) generalized vaccinia;
(3) eczema vaccinatum;
(4) progressive vaccinia; and
(5) post vaccination encephalitis.
The attending physician shall make the report to the local
health department within 24 hours. The local health department shall notify
the Division of Public Health within 24 hours.
(c) The physician responsible for vaccinating a person
against smallpox and the physician diagnosing a person with vaccinia disease
shall instruct the patient to follow CDC guidelines for the prevention of the
spread of vaccinia adopted by reference in Paragraph (a) of this Rule. The
patient shall follow these guidelines.
(d) The State Health Director or a local health director
may use isolation authority pursuant to G.S. 130A-145 when necessary to prevent
the spread of smallpox or vaccinia virus.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑144;
Temporary Adoption Eff. February 13, 2003;
Eff. August 1, 2004.
10A NCAC 41A .0209 LABORATORY TESTING
All laboratories shall do the following:
(1) When Neisseria meningitidis is isolated from a
normally sterile site, test the organism for specific serogroup or send the
isolate to the State Laboratory of Public Health for serogrouping;
(2) When a stool culture is requested on a specimen
from a person with bloody diarrhea, culture the stool for shiga-toxin producing
Escherichia coli or send the specimen to the State Laboratory of Public Health;
(3) When Haemophilus influenzae is isolated, test the
organism for specific serogroup or send the isolate to the State Laboratory of
Public Health for serogrouping; and
(4) When Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is
isolated, test the organism for specific restriction fragment length
polymorphism (RFLP) or send the isolate, or a subculture of the isolate, to the
State Laboratory of Public Health for genotyping.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑139;
Eff. October 1, 1994;
Temporary Amendment Eff. February
18, 2002;
Amended Eff. April
1, 2004; April 1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0210 DUTIES OF ATTENDING PHYSICIANS
Immediately upon making a diagnosis of or reasonably
suspecting a communicable disease or communicable condition for which control
measures are provided in Rule .0201, .0202 or .0203 of this Section, the attending
physician shall instruct the patient and any other person specified in those
control measures to carry out those control measures and shall give
sufficiently detailed instructions for proper compliance, or the physician
shall request the local health director to give such instruction. When making
the initial telephone report for diseases and conditions required to be
reported within 24 hours, the physician shall inform the local health director
of the control measures given.
History Note: Filed as a Temporary Rule Eff. February 1, 1988, for a period of 180 days to expire on July
29, 1988;
Authority G.S. 130A‑144;
Eff. March 1, 1988;
Recodified from 15A NCAC 19A .0202 Eff. June
11, 1991.
10A NCAC 41A .0211 DUTIES OF OTHER PERSONS
(a) The local health director may reveal the identity and
diagnosis of a person with a reportable communicable disease or communicable
condition or other communicable disease or communicable condition which represents
a significant threat to the public health to those persons specified in
Paragraph (b) when disclosure is necessary to prevent transmission in the
facility or establishment for which they are responsible. The local health
director shall ensure that all persons so notified are instructed regarding the
necessity for protecting confidentiality.
(b) The following persons shall require that any person
about whom they are notified pursuant to Paragraph (a) comply with control
measures given by the local health director to prevent transmission in the
facility or establishment:
(1) the principal of any private or public
school;
(2) employers;
(3) superintendents or directors of all public
or private institutions, hospitals, or jails; and
(4) operators of a child day care center, child
day care home, or other child care providers.
(c) The provisions of Paragraphs (a) and (b) shall not
apply with regard to gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid, granuloma inguinale,
lymphogranuloma venereum, chlamydia, non‑gonococcal urethritis, AIDS, and
HIV infection. However, persons may be notified with regard to these diseases
and conditions in accordance with 10A NCAC 41A .0201, .0202 or .0203 of this
Section.
History Note: Filed as a Temporary Rule Eff. February 1, 1988, for a period of 180 days to expire on July
29, 1988;
Authority G.S. 130A‑143; 130A‑144;
Eff. March 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. June
1, 1989;
Recodified from 15A NCAC 19A .0203 Eff. June
11, 1991.
10A NCAC 41A .0212 HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION OF BODIES
(a) It shall be the duty of the physician attending any
person who dies and is known to be infected with HIV, plague, or hepatitis B or
any person who dies and is known or reasonably suspected to be infected with
smallpox, rabies, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), or
Jakob-Creutzfeldt to provide written notification to all individuals handling
the body of the proper precautions to prevent infection. This written
notification shall be provided to funeral service personnel at the time the
body is removed from any hospital, nursing home, or other health care facility.
When the patient dies in a location other than a health care facility, the
attending physician shall notify the funeral service personnel verbally of the
precautions required as soon as the physician becomes aware of the death. These
precautions are noted in Paragraphs (b) and (c).
(b) The body of any person who died and is known or
reasonably suspected to be infected with smallpox or severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) or any person who died and is known to be infected with plague
shall not be embalmed. The body shall be enclosed in a strong, tightly sealed
outer case which will prevent leakage or escape of odors as soon as possible
after death and before the body is removed from the hospital room, home,
building, or other premises where the death occurred. This case shall not be
reopened except with the consent of the local health director. Nothing in this
Paragraph shall prohibit cremation.
(c) Persons handling the body of any person who died and is
known to be infected with HIV or hepatitis B or any person who died and is
known or reasonably suspected to be infected with Jakob-Creutzfeldt or rabies
shall be provided written notification to observe blood and body fluid
precautions.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-144; 130A-146;
Temporary Rule Eff. February 1, 1988, for a period of 180
days to expire on July 29, 1988; Eff. March 1, 1988; Recodified from 15A NCAC
19A .0204 Eff. June 11, 1991;
Temporary Amendment Eff. November 1, 2003;
Amended Eff. April 1, 2004.
10A NCAC 41A .0213 CONTROL MEASURES -- SARS
Guidelines and recommended actions for prevention of the
spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) published by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shall be the required control measures for
SARS and are incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and
editions. Copies of CDC guidelines contained in the Morbidity and Mortality
weekly reports may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, US
Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402 for a total cost of three
dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) each.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑144;
Temporary Adoption Eff. May 16, 2003;
Eff. August 1, 2004.
10A NCAC 41A .0214 CONTROL MEASURES - HEPATITIS C
The following are the control measures for hepatitis C
infection:
(1) Infected persons shall not:
(a) share needles or syringes, any other
drug-related equipment or paraphernalia, or personal items, such as razors,
that may be contaminated with blood through previous use; or
(b) donate or sell blood, plasma, platelets, or
other blood products.
(2) Persons with acute hepatitis C infection shall:
(a) if the date of initial infection is known,
identify to the local health director all needle partners since the date of
infection;
(b) if the date of initial infection is unknown,
identify persons who have been needle partners during the previous six months.
(3) The attending physician shall:
(a) advise all patients known to be at high
risk, including injection drug users, hemodialysis patients, patients who
received blood transfusions or solid organ transplants before July 1992,
patients who received clotting factor concentrates made before 1987, persons
with HIV infection, and persons with known exposure to hepatitis C, that they
should be tested for hepatitis C;
(b) advise infected persons of the potential for
transmission to others via blood or body fluids;
(c) provide or recommend that the infected
patient seek medical evaluation for the presence or development of chronic
liver disease; and
(d) recommend that persons with chronic
hepatitis C receive hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines unless serological
testing indicates that they are immune to these infections by virtue of past
infection or vaccination.
(4) When a health care worker or other person has a
needlestick, non-intact skin, or mucous membrane exposure to blood or body
fluids that would pose a significant risk of hepatitis C transmission if the
source were infected with the hepatitis C virus, the following apply:
(a) When the source is known, the attending
physician or occupational health care provider responsible for the exposed
person, if other than the attending physician of the person whose blood or body
fluids is the source of the exposure, shall notify the attending physician of
the source that an exposure has occurred. The attending physician of the
source person shall discuss the exposure with the source and, unless the source
is already known to be infected, shall test the source for hepatitis C virus
infection with or without consent unless it reasonably appears that the test
cannot be performed without endangering the safety of the source person or the
person administering the test. If the source person cannot be tested, an
existing specimen of his or her blood, if one exists, shall be tested. The
attending physician of the source person shall notify the attending physician
of the exposed person of the infection status of the source.
(b) The attending physician of the exposed
person shall inform the exposed person about the infection status of the source
and shall instruct the exposed person regarding the necessity for protecting
confidentiality. If the source person is infected with hepatitis C virus or the
source person’s infection status is unknown, the attending physician of the
exposed person shall advise the exposed person to seek testing for hepatitis C
virus infection as soon as possible and again four to six months after the
exposure. If the source person was hepatitis C virus infected, the attending
physician shall inform the exposed person of the measures required in Sub-Items
(1)(a) through (b) of this Rule.
(5) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) Nationally Notifiable Diseases and Conditions (NNDC) Current Case
Definitions for Hepatitis C are hereby incorporated by reference, including
subsequent amendments and editions. The CDC NNDC may be accessed from the
internet at (http://www.cdc.gov/osels/ph_surveillance/nndss/phs/infdis.htm).
This document is also available for inspection at the North Carolina Division
of Public Health, 1902 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27603.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-135; 130A-144;
Eff. April, 1, 2012.
SECTION .0300 ‑ SPECIAL CONTROL MEASURES
10A NCAC 41A .0301 DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
of 10A NCAC 41A .0302:
(1) "Turtle" means any reptile of the order
Testudines.
(2) "Institution" means a school, college, university,
research laboratory, or other facility having a bona fide research or teaching
interest in turtles.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑144;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Readopted Eff. December
5, 1977;
Amended Eff. May
1, 1992.
10A NCAC 41A .0302 SALE OF TURTLES RESTRICTED
(a) Purpose of this Regulation. This Regulation is adopted
to prevent the spread of salmonellosis from pet turtles to humans.
(b) Sale of Turtles Prohibited. No turtle shall be sold,
offered for sale, or bartered by any retail or wholesale establishment in North Carolina.
(c) Sale of Turtles for Scientific, Educational, or Food
Purposes Exempted. Subsection (b) of this Regulation does not apply to the
sale of turtles to institutions for scientific or educational purposes nor to
the sale of turtles for food purposes.
(d) Sale of Turtles Outside North Carolina Exempted.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (b) of this Regulation, wholesale
establishments in North Carolina dealing in the sale of turtles shall not be
prohibited from selling turtles to other wholesale or retail establishments
outside the State of North Carolina.
(e) Determination of Compliance. Authorized agents of the
Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources and local health
departments shall have authority to enter any retail or wholesale establishment
at all times to determine compliance with this Regulation.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑144;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Readopted Eff. December
5, 1977;
Amended Eff. February
3, 1992.
10A NCAC 41A .0303 RECORDING THE SALES OF BIRDS
(a) A business engaged in the retail sale of birds shall
maintain a record of each sale for at least six months after the sale. The
record shall include the name and address of the purchaser of each bird. The
record shall be made available to the Department upon the request of the
Department.
(b) This Rule shall not apply to the sale of birds for
hunting, scientific, educational, agricultural or food purposes.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑144;
Eff. June 1, 1990.
section .0400 - IMMUNIZATION
10A NCAC 41A
.0401 DOSAGE AND AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMUNIZATION
(a) Every individual in North Carolina required to be
immunized pursuant to G.S. 130A-152 through 130A-157 shall be immunized against
the following diseases and have documentation of age-appropriate vaccination in
accordance with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
(1) Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
(whooping cough) - five doses: three doses by age seven months; and 2 booster
doses, the first by age 19 months and the second on or after the fourth
birthday and before entering school for the first time. However:
(A) Individuals who receive the first booster dose of diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis
vaccine on or after the fourth birthday are not required to have a second
booster.
(B) Individuals entering college or university for the
first time on or after July 1, 2008 must have had three doses of
tetanus/diphtheria toxoid; one of which must be tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis.
(C) A booster dose of tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis
vaccine is required for individuals who have not previously received it and are
entering the seventh grade or by 12 years of age, whichever comes first.
(2) Poliomyelitis vaccine - four doses: two
doses of trivalent type by age five months; a third dose trivalent type before
age 19 months; and a booster dose of trivalent type on or after his or her fourth
birthday and before entering school for the first time. However:
(A) An individual attending school who has attained his
or her 18th birthday is not required to receive a polio vaccine.
(B) The requirements for the booster dose on or after
the fourth birthday do not apply to individuals who began school before July 1,
2015.
(C) Individuals who receive the third dose of
poliomyelitis vaccine on or after the fourth birthday are not required to
receive a fourth dose if the third dose is given at least six months after the
second dose.
(3) Measles (rubeola) vaccine - two doses of
live, attenuated vaccine administered at least 28 days apart: the first dose on
or after age 12 months and before age 16 months; and a second dose before entering
school for the first time. However:
(A) An individual who has been documented by serological
testing to have a protective antibody titer against measles is not required to
receive measles vaccine.
(B) An individual who has been diagnosed before January
1, 1994, by a physician (or designee such as a nurse practitioner or physician's
assistant) as having measles (rubeola) disease is not required to receive
measles vaccine.
(C) An individual born before 1957 is not required to
receive measles vaccine except in measles outbreak situations.
(D) The requirement for a second dose of measles vaccine
does not apply to individuals who enter school or in college or university for
the first time before July 1, 1994.
(4) Rubella vaccine - one dose of live,
attenuated vaccine on or after age 12 months and before age 16 months.
However:
(A) An individual who has laboratory confirmation of
rubella disease or who has been documented by serological testing to have a
protective antibody titer against rubella is not required to receive rubella vaccine.
(B) An individual who has attained his or her fiftieth
birthday is not required to receive rubella vaccine except in outbreak situations.
(C) An individual who entered a college or university
after his or her thirtieth birthday and before February 1, 1989 is not required
to meet the requirement for rubella vaccine except in outbreak situations.
(5) Mumps vaccine – two doses: the first dose
of live, attenuated vaccine administered on or after age 12 months and before
age 16 months; and a second dose before entering school, college or university
for the first time. However:
(A) An individual who has laboratory confirmation of
disease, or has been documented by serological testing to have a protective
antibody titer against mumps is not required to receive the mumps vaccine.
(B) An individual born before 1957 is not required to
receive the mumps vaccine.
(C) The requirements for the mumps vaccine do not apply
to individuals who entered the first grade for the first time before July 1,
1987 or college or university before July 1, 1994.
(D) An individual entering school, college or university
before July 1, 2008 is not required to receive a second dose of mumps vaccine.
(6) Haemophilus influenzae, b conjugate vaccine
- three doses of HbOC or PRP-T or two doses of PRP-OMP before age 7 months and
a booster dose of any type on or after age 12 months and by age 16 months. However:
(A) Individuals who receive the first dose of Haemophilus
influenzae, b vaccine on or after 7 months of age and before 12 months of
age are required to have two doses of HbOC, PRP-T or PRP-OMP and a booster dose
on or after 12 months of age and by age 16 months.
(B) Individuals who receive the first dose of Haemophilus
influenzae, b vaccine on or after 12 months of age and before 15 months of
age are required to have only 2 doses of HbOC, PRP-T or PRP-OMP and a booster
dose two months later.
(C) Individuals who receive the first dose of Haemophilus
influenzae, b vaccine on or after 15 months of age are required to have
only one dose of any of the Haemophilus influenzae b conjugate vaccines.
(D) No individual who has passed his or her fifth
birthday is required to be vaccinated against Haemophilus influenzae, b.
(7) Hepatitis B vaccine – three doses: the
first dose by age 3 months, a second dose before age 5 months and a third dose
by age 19 months. However:
(A) The last dose of the hepatitis B vaccine series
shall not be administered before 24 weeks of age.
(B) Individuals born before July 1, 1994 are not
required to be vaccinated against hepatitis B.
(8) Varicella vaccine – two doses administered at
least 28 days apart; one dose on or after age 12 months of age and before age
19 months; and a second dose before entering school for the first time. However:
(A) An individual who has laboratory confirmation of
varicella disease immunity or has been documented by serological testing to
have a protective antibody titer against varicella is not required to varicella
vaccine.
(B) An individual who has documentation from a
physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant verifying history of
varicella disease is not required to receive varicella vaccine. The
documentation shall include the name of the individual with a history of
varicella disease, the approximate date or age of infection, and a healthcare
provider signature.
(C) An individual born before April 1, 2001 is not
required to receive varicella vaccine.
(D) The requirement for the second dose of varicella
vaccine shall not apply to individuals who enter Kindergarten or first grade for
the first time before July 1, 2015.
(9) Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine – Four
doses; 3 doses by age 7 months and a booster dose at 12 through 15 months of
age. However:
(A) Individuals who receive the first dose of
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on or after 7 months of age and before 12 months
of age are required to have 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart; and a booster dose
at 12 through 15 months of age.
(B) Individuals who receive the first dose of
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on or after 12 months of age and before 24
months of age are required to have 2 doses at least 8 weeks apart to complete
the series.
(C) Individuals who receive the first dose of
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on or after 24 months of age and before 5 years
are required to have 1 dose to complete the series.
(D) No individual who has passed his or her fifth
birthday shall be required to be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease.
(E) An individual born before July 1, 2015 shall not be
required to receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
(10) Meningococcal conjugate vaccine – two doses:
one dose is required for individuals entering the seventh grade or by 12 years
of age, whichever comes first, on or after July 1, 2015. A booster dose is
required by 17 years of age or by entering the 12th grade. However:
(A) The first dose does not apply to individuals who
entered seventh grade before July 1, 2015.
(B) The booster dose does not apply to individuals who
entered the 12th grade before August 1, 2020.
(C) If the first dose is administered on or after the 16th
birthday, a booster dose is not required.
(D) An individual born before January 1, 2003 shall not
be required to receive a meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
(b) The healthcare provider shall administer immunizations
in accordance with this Rule. However, if a healthcare provider administers
vaccine up to and including the fourth day prior to the required minimum age,
the individual dose is not required to be repeated. Doses administered more
than four days prior to the requirements are considered invalid doses and shall
be repeated.
(c) The State Health Director may suspend temporarily any
portion of the requirements of this Rule due to emergency conditions, such as
the unavailability of vaccine. The Department shall give notice in writing to
all local health departments and other providers currently receiving vaccine
from the Department when the suspension takes effect and when the suspension is
lifted. When any vaccine series is disrupted by such a suspension, the next
dose shall be administered within 90 days of the lifting of the suspension and
the series resumed in accordance with intervals determined by the most recent
recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. These
recommendations may be accessed free of charge at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-152(c); 130A-155.1;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. July 1, 1977;
Readopted Eff. December 5, 1977;
Temporary Amendment Eff. February 1, 1988, for a period
of 180 days to expire on July 29, 1988;
Amended Eff. October 1, 1995; October 1, 1994; January 1,
1994; January 4, 1993;
Temporary Amendment Eff. February 23, 2000; August 20,
1999; May 21, 1999;
Amended Eff. August 1, 2000;
Temporary Amendment Eff. May 17, 2002; April 1, 2002;
February 18, 2002; August 1, 2001;
Amended Eff. July 1, 2015; January 1, 2008; November 1,
2005; January 1, 2005; April 1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0402 APPROVED VACCINE PREPARATIONS
All vaccine preparations licensed for interstate use by the
Bureau of Biologic Standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are
approved for use in fulfilling the requirements of 10 NCAC 07A .0401.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑152(c);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Readopted Eff. December
5, 1977.
10A NCAC 41A .0403 NON‑RELIGIOUS PERSONAL BELIEF NO
EXEMPTION
Except as provided in G.S. 130A‑156 and G.S. 130A‑157,
and 10A NCAC 41A .0404 and .0405, no child shall be exempt from the
requirements of 10A NCAC 41 .0401; there is no exception to these requirements
for the case of a personal belief or philosophy of a parent or guardian not
founded upon a religious belief.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑152(c);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Readopted Eff. December 5, 1977;
Amended Eff. October
1, 1984; July 1, 1979.
10A NCAC 41A .0404 MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS FROM IMMUNIZATION
(a) Certification of a medical exemption by a physician
pursuant to G.S. 130A-156 shall be in writing and shall state the basis of the
exemption, the specific vaccine or vaccines the individual should not receive,
and the length of time the exemption will apply for the individual.
(b) Medical contraindications for which medical exemptions
may be certified by a physician for immunizations are included in the most
recent General Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices, Public Health Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
publication, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which is adopted by
reference including subsequent amendments and additions. A copy is available
for inspection in the Immunization Section at 1330 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh,
North Carolina. Internet access is available by searching www.cdc.gov/nip.
History Note: Filed as a Temporary Amendment Eff. February 1, 1988, for a period of 180 days to expire on July
29, 1988;
Authority G.S. 130A‑152(c); 130A‑156;
Eff. July 1, 1979;
Amended Eff. August
1, 2000; January 4, 1993; February 1, 1990; March
1, 1988.
10A NCAC 41A .0405 EXEMPTION FOR CLINICAL STUDIES
An individual enrolled in a clinical trial of the efficacy
of a new vaccine preparation or dosage schedule shall be exempted from those
requirements of 10A NCAC 41A .0401 and .0402 which conflict with the trial
protocol. This exemption shall only apply to individuals who:
(1) participate in a clinical trial whose protocol is
approved by the State Health Director, and
(2) fully participate in and complete the clinical
trial.
History Note: Filed as a Temporary Amendment Eff. February 1, 1988, for a period of 180 days to expire on
July 29, 1988;
Authority G.S. 130A‑152(c);
Eff. October 1, 1983;
Amended Eff. March
1, 1988.
10A NCAC 41A .0406 ACCESS TO IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION
(a) Physicians, local health departments and the Department
shall, upon request and without consent release the immunization information
specified in Paragraph (b) of this Rule to the following organizations:
(1) schools K‑12, whether public, private
or religious;
(2) licensed and registered childcare
facilities as defined in G.S. 110-86(3) and G.S. 110‑101;
(3) Head Start;
(4) colleges and universities, whether public,
private or religious;
(5) Health Maintenance Organizations; and
(6) Other state and local health departments
outside of North Carolina.
(b) The following is the immunization information to be
released to the organizations specified in Paragraph (a) of this Rule:
(1) name and address;
(2) name of the parent, guardian, or person
standing in loco parentis;
(3) date of birth;
(4) gender;
(5) race and ethnicity;
(6) vaccine type, date and dose number administered;
(7) the name and address of the physician or local
health department that administered each dose; and
(8) the existence of a medical or religious
exemption determined by the Immunization Section to meet the requirements of
G.S. 130A‑156 and 10A NCAC 41A .0404 or G.S. 130A‑157. If such a
determination has not been made by the Division of Public Health, the person
shall have access to the certification of medical and religious exemptions
required by G.S. 130A‑156 or G.S. 130A‑157 and 10A NCAC 41A .0404.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑153;
Temporary Adoption Eff. August
9, 1993, for a period of 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes
effective, whichever is sooner;
Eff. January 4, 1994;
Amended Eff. April
1, 2001; August 1, 2000; October 1, 1995.
SECTION .0500 ‑ PURCHASE AND DISTRIBUTION OF VACCINE
10A NCAC 41A .0501 PURCHASE OF VACCINE
The Division of Public Health may enter into
contracts for the purchase of vaccines. Any purchase of such vaccines shall be
in accordance with Article 3 of G.S. 143 and 01 NCAC 05A.
History Note: Temporary Rule Eff. October 5, 1986 for a
period of 120 days to expire on February 1, 1987;
Authority S.L. 1986, c. 1008, s. 2;
Eff. February 1, 1987;
Amended Eff. September
1, 1991.
10A NCAC 41A .0502 VACCINE FOR PROVIDERS OTHER THAN LOCAL
HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-433;
Temporary Rule Eff. October
5, 1986 for a period of 120 days to expire on February
1, 1987;
Temporary Rule Eff. February
1, 1987 for a period of 120 days to expire on May
31, 1987;
Eff. March 1, 1987;
Temporary Amendment Eff. February
1, 1988, for a period of 180 days to expire on July
29, 1988;
Temporary Amendment Eff. August
26, 1992, for a period 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes effective,
whichever is sooner;
Temporary Amendment Eff. October
1, 1994, for a period of 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes
effective, whichever is sooner;
Amended Eff. October
1, 1995; January 1, 1995; January 4, 1994; January
4, 1993;
Temporary Amendment Eff. December
1, 1998;
Amended Eff. August 1, 2000;
Temporary Amendment Eff. December 1, 2007;
Amended Eff. November 1, 2008;
Repealed Eff. July 1, 2014.
SECTION .0600 ‑ SPECIAL PROGRAM/PROJECT FUNDING
10A NCAC 41A .0601 RESERVED FOR FUTURE CODIFICATION
10A NCAC 41A .0602 PROVIDER ELIGIBILITY
The following organizations are eligible to apply for
special project funds from the Division of Public Health:
(1) local health departments; and
(2) Non‑profit or governmental groups such as
public health, educational, and voluntary organizations.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑5(3);
Eff. June 1, 1988.
10A NCAC 41A .0603 APPLICATION FOR FUNDS
(a) Grants for special projects shall be awarded through a
request for proposal (RFP) process that includes notification of all local
health departments of the eligibility criteria, requirements for funding, and
duration of the project period. This information shall also be available to
other groups or organizations who may wish to apply. Requests for proposals
may be obtained from the Division of Public Health, 1915 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1915.
(b) The grant proposal shall include the following:
(1) a project plan which includes an assessment
of the need for the special project, measurable project objectives, and
strategies for meeting the project objectives;
(2) a proposed budget; and
(3) an evaluation plan.
(c) In making the determination of which applications to
approve for funding, each proposal will be judged on its own merits in
competition with all the other proposals submitted to the Section. Proposals
shall be judged according to the following criteria:
(1) the proposal demonstrates that a
substantial need exists;
(2) the proposed project makes a significant
contribution in meeting the established need; and
(3) the proposed project can be successfully
completed within a reasonable period of time.
(d) The Division of Epidemiology shall review all grant
proposals submitted on or before the deadline for submission of proposals. The
Division of Public Health shall approve or deny a grant proposal within 60 days
after the deadline for receipt of the grant proposal.
(e) A contract shall be signed with each applicant that is
approved for funding. The number and type of services to be provided under the
contract shall be negotiated with each contractor, approved by the Division of
Public Health, and included as an addendum to the contract. Contracts may be
renewed upon expiration of the contract period when the contractor's proposal
meets the criteria in (c)(1) of this Rule, the contractor has demonstrated
adequate performance, and funds are available.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑5(3);
Eff. June 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. September
1, 1990.
10A NCAC 41A .0604 REPORTS
(a) The contractor shall submit periodic performance
reports as specified in the contract.
(b) The contractor shall submit a final report at the close
of the contract period. The report shall include an evaluation addressing progress
in meeting the objectives outlined in the application.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑5(3);
Eff. June 1, 1988.
10A NCAC 41A .0605 USE OF SPECIAL PROJECT FUNDS
(a) Special Project Funds provided pursuant to these Rules
shall be expended solely for the purposes for which the funds were made
available in accordance with the approved application, negotiated project objectives
and budget, the rules in this Section, the terms and conditions of the award,
and the applicable state costs principles.
(b) A contractor that consistently fails to meet acceptable
levels of performance, as determined through site visits, review of performance
reports, and other appropriate and generally accepted performance standards,
and has been offered consultation and technical assistance, may have special
project funds reduced or discontinued. Recommendations to reduce or
discontinue funding shall be reviewed and approved by the State Health
Director.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑5(3);
Eff. June 1, 1988.
SECTION .0700 - LICENSED NURSING HOME SERVICES
10A NCAC 41A .0701 MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY FOR LICENSED NURSING
HOME SERVICES
(a) A patient shall be medically eligible for reimbursement
for up to 60 days per year, beginning the first day of financial eligibility,
for treatment and convalescence services at a contract nursing home if the
tuberculosis control branch finds that the following criteria are met:
(1) The applicant must have active pulmonary or
disseminated tuberculosis associated with incapacitation or significant
debilitation which requires a SNF or ICF level of care. To aid in making this
determination, the referring physician shall provide a treatment plan and
project a length of stay for the patient at the nursing home.
(2) The applicant must have positive
bacteriology for tuberculosis. The positive bacteriology (AFB) must have been
obtained within the preceding 14 days.
(3) The applicant must not be in need of an
acute level of hospital care for any condition.
(4) The applicant must be 16 years of age or
over.
(5) The applicant must be referred by a
licensed physician who has first‑hand knowledge of the applicant's mental
and physical condition. The referring physician must furnish a summary of the
applicant's physical and mental condition and known infirmities, and specific
details of treatment and medication the applicant is taking with
recommendations as to dosage, frequency and duration. This summary must
include all known allergies as well as anti‑tuberculosis and all other
medications that the patient is taking. In addition, dietary needs, pertinent
x‑rays, and copies of laboratory reports must be forwarded, either with
the patient, if accepted for admission, or in advance.
(6) The head of the Tuberculosis Control Branch
may make exceptions to the criteria contained in (1) through (5) of this
Paragraph upon a determination that a patient could be best treated for a
tuberculosis condition at a licensed nursing home.
(b) If the head of the Tuberculosis Control Branch
determines that additional treatment or convalescent care at a licensed nursing
home is medically necessary because of the tuberculosis condition, the head of
the Branch may extend medical eligibility for more than 60 days per year.
(c) The medical care payments described in this Rule are
available only for services provided at a licensed nursing home which has
contracted with the tuberculosis program for these services. Further payment
limitations are found in 10A NCAC 45A .0300.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑177;
Eff. October 1, 1985;
Amended Eff. September
1, 1990.
SECTION .0800 ‑ COMMUNICABLE DISEASE GRANTS AND
CONTRACTS
10A NCAC 41A .0801 COMMUNICABLE DISEASE FINANCIAL GRANTS
AND CONTRACTS
(a) The Division of Public Health may enter into financial
arrangements with local health departments, community hospitals, nursing homes,
or other convalescent facilities, and with physicians for the purpose of
providing specific health care services for communicable diseases and the
implementation of control measures.
(b) The Division of Public Health may authorize a local health
department to obtain required diagnostic and treatment services for persons
with syphilis, gonorrhea, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and granuloma
inguinale from physicians:
(1) The amount to be charged for these services
shall be negotiated between the local health department and the physician and
approved by the Division of Public Health at the lowest agreeable rate, not to
exceed approved Medicaid reimbursement rates. Drugs used in treatment may be
provided to such physicians by the local health department.
(2) The physician shall bill the local health
department for services provided. The local health department shall submit
requests for payment to the Division of Public Health on forms provided by the
Division of Public Health.
History Note: Authority G. S. 130A‑5; 130A‑135;
130A‑144;
Eff. December 1, 1991;
Amended Eff. April
1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0802 RESERVED FOR FUTURE CODIFICATION
10A NCAC 41A .0803 RESERVED FOR FUTURE CODIFICATION
section .0900 - BIOLOGICAL AGENT REGISTRY
10A NCAC 41A .0901 GENERAL
The biological agent registry established by G.S. 130A-149
is administered by the Division of Public Health, 1915 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1915.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-149;
Temporary Adoption Eff. January
10, 2002;
Eff. April 1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0902 BIOLOGICAL AGENTS TO BE REPORTED
The biological agents that shall be reported to the registry
shall be those agents listed as select agents in 42 C.F.R. Part 72, Appendix A
which is adopted herein by reference including subsequent amendments and
editions. Copies of this federal provision may be inspected at and copies
obtained from the Division of Public Health, 1915 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1915 at a cost of ten cents ($.10) per page at
the time of adoption of this Rule.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-149;
Temporary Adoption Eff. January
10, 2002;
Eff. April 1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0903 WHEN TO REPORT
A person possessing and maintaining a listed biological
agent on the effective date of these Rules shall make a report within 45 days
of the effective date of these Rules. A person who does not possess and
maintain any listed biological agents on the effective date of these Rules
shall make a report within seven days of receipt of such agents. A person
shall make an amended report within seven days of any change in the information
contained in the report. A person shall make a report within 24 hours of any
suspected release, loss or theft of any listed biological agent.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-149;
Temporary Adoption Eff. January
10, 2002;
Eff. April 1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0904 WHAT TO REPORT
The report shall be made on a form created by the Department
and shall identify the listed biological agents possessed and maintained at the
facility; shall specify the use of the agents for vaccine production, research purposes,
quality control or other use; shall indicate the form of the agents; shall
identify the physical location of the laboratories and the storage areas; and
shall identify the person in charge of the agents.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-149;
Temporary Adoption Eff. January
10, 2002;
Eff. April 1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0905 EXEMPTION FROM REPORTING
A person who detects a listed biological agent in a clinical
or environmental sample for the purpose of diagnosing disease, epidemiological
surveillance, exposure assessment, reference, verification or proficiency
testing, and who discards the agent within 14 calendar days of receiving notice
of the completion of confirmation testing, or discards the agent within 14
calendar days of using the agent for reference, verification or proficiency
testing, is not required to make a report.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-149;
Temporary Adoption Eff. January
10, 2002;
Eff. April 1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0906 SECURITY
All persons possessing and maintaining a listed biological
agent must demonstrate compliance with all safeguards contained in the 42
C.F.R. Part 72 and the Rules promulgated thereunder, and must employ those
federal safeguards over the agents they possess and maintain, regardless of
whether the mere possession of the agent is itself required to be registered
under federal law. The safeguards contained in 42 C.F.R. Part 72 and the Rules
promulgated thereunder are adopted herein by reference including subsequent
amendments and additions. Copies of this federal provision may be inspected at
and copies obtained from the Division of Public Health, 1915 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1915, at a cost of ten cents ($.10) per
page at the time of adoption of this Rule.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-149;
Temporary Adoption Eff. January
10, 2002;
Eff. April 1, 2003.
10A NCAC 41A .0907 RELEASE OF INFORMATION
The Department shall release information contained in the
Biological Agents Registry only by order of the State Health Director upon a
finding that the release is necessary for the conduct of a communicable disease
investigation or for the investigation of a release, theft or loss of a
biological agent.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-149;
Temporary Adoption Eff. January
10, 2002;
Eff. April 1, 2003.