GBEB-AR: Communicable Diseases – Staff

Code: GBEB-AR

Revised/Reviewed: 6/11/18

In accordance with state law, administrative rule, the local health authority and the Communicable Disease Guidance, the procedures established below will be followed.

1. “Restrictable diseases” are defined by rule and include but are not limited to chickenpox, diptheria, hepatitis A, measles, mumps, pertussis, rubella, Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi infection, scabies, Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, shigellosis and tuberculosis disease, and may include a communicable stage of hepatitis B infection if, in the opinion of the local health officer, the person poses an unusually high risk to others (e.g., a child that exhibits uncontrollable biting or spitting).  Restrictable disease also includes any other communicable disease identified in an order issued by the Oregon Health Authority or the local public health officer as posing a danger to the public’s health.  A disease is considered to be a restrictable disease if it is listed in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-019-0010, or it has been designated to be a restrictable disease by Board policy^[1] or by the local health administrator after determining that it presents a significant public health risk in the school setting.
2. “Susceptible” means being at risk of contracting a restrictable disease by virtue of being in one or more categories described in law.
3. “Reportable diseases” means a human reportable disease, infection, microorganism or condition as specified in OAR Chapter 333, Division 18.

Restrictable Diseases

1. An employee of the district will not attend or work at a district school or facility while in a communicable stage of a restrictable disease unless authorized to do so under Oregon law.
2. When an administrator has reason to suspect that an employee has or has been exposed to any restrictable disease that requires exclusion, the administrator shall send the employee home.  If the disease is reportable, the administrator will report the occurrence to the local health department.
3. An employee will be excluded in such instances until such time as the employee presents a certificate from a physician, a physician assistant licensed under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 677.505677.525, a nurse practitioner licensed under ORS 678.375-678.390, local health department nurse or school nurse stating that the employee does not have or is not a carrier of any restrictable disease.
4. An administrator will exclude a susceptible employee that has been exposed to a restrictable disease that is also a reportable disease unless the local health officer determines that exclusion is not necessary to protect the public’s health, or the local health officer states the disease is no longer communicable to others or that adequate precautions have been taken to minimize the risk of transmission.  The administrator may request the local health officer to make a determination as allowed by law.
5. An administrator may allow attendance of an employee restricted for chickenpox, scabies, staphylococcal skin infections, streptococcal infections, diarrhea or vomiting if the restriction has been removed by a school nurse or health care provider.
6. More stringent exclusion standards for employees from school or work may be adopted by the local health department or by the district through policy adopted by the Board.
7. The district’s emergency plan shall address the district’s plan with respect to a declared public health emergency at the local or state level.

Reportable Diseases Notification

1. All employees shall comply with all reporting measures adopted by the district and with all rules set forth by Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division and the local health department.
2. An administrator may seek confirmation and assistance from the local health officer to determine the appropriate district response when the administrator is notified that an employee or a student has been exposed to a restrictable disease that is also a reportable disease.
3. District staff with impaired immune responses, that are of childbearing age or some other medically fragile condition, should consult with a medical provider for additional guidance.
4. An administrator shall determine other persons with a legitimate educational interest who may be informed of the communicable nature of an individual student’s disease, or an employee’s communicable disease, within guidelines allowed by law.

Equipment and Training

1. The administrator or designee shall, on a case-by-case basis, determine what equipment and/or supplies are necessary in a particular classroom or other setting in order to prevent disease transmission.
2. The administrator or designee shall consult with the district’s school nurse or other appropriate health officials to provide special training in the methods of protection from disease transmission.
3. All district personnel will be instructed annually to use the proper precautions pertaining to blood and body fluid exposure per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).