Diseases or Conditions to be Reported, Procedures for Control of Specific Communicable Diseases

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Division of Disease Control

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:

64DER16-1:Diseases or Conditions to be Reported

64DER16-2: Procedures for Control of Specific Communicable Diseases

SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE: Zika fever, a dengue-like illness caused by a mosquito-borne flavivirus, has been identified in several countries in Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean including Puerto Rico. Outbreaks have previously been reported in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The World Health Organization has reported an increase in the number of babies born with microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in areas experiencing Zika virus outbreaks. The World Health Organization has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern related to the Zika virus on February 1, 2016. At this time, there have been twelve (12) confirmed travel-related cases of the Zika virus (none of which have been pregnant women) in the state of Florida. On February 3, 2016, Governor Rick Scott issued Executive Order 16-29 directing the Surgeon General to declare a Public Health Emergency related to the spread of the Zika virus in Florida. A Public Health Emergency has been declared by the Surgeon General in five (5) counties in accordance with the Executive Order. The Surgeon General’s Declaration of a Public Health Emergency has been transmitted to the Commissioner of Agriculture for issuance of a mosquito declaration, as needed pursuant to section 388.45, Florida Statutes. There is an immediate need to adopt rules setting forth the procedures to control the spread of the Zika virus to protect the health, safety and welfare of Florida’s citizens and those persons traveling within Florida.

REASON FOR CONCLUDING THAT THE PROCEDURE IS FAIR UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES: The Zika virus presents a public health threat to the state of Florida. The Surgeon General has declared a Public Health Emergency in five (5) counties due to the spread of the Zika virus. There is an immediate need to set forth procedures for the control of this communicable disease in the State of Florida.

SUMMARY: Emergency rule 64DER16-1 (64D-3.029) requires immediate reporting of suspected or confirmed cases of the Zika virus by physicians, hospitals, and laboratories. Emergency rule 64DER16-2 (64D-3.040) requires status reports related to suspected or confirmed cases of the Zika virus to be provided to the State Epidemiologist.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS: Dr. Anna Likos, Florida Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1703, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE EMERGENCY RULE IS:

64DER16-1 (64D-3.029) Diseases or Conditions to be Reported.

Practitioner Reporting					Laboratory Reporting
Reportable Diseases or Conditions	Timeframes				Evidence of current or recent infection with etiological agents and all associated testing results performed should be reported (e.g. species, serogroup, serotype, and antimicrobial susceptibility *2 results)	Submit isolates or specimens for confirmation*1	Timeframes
	Suspect Immediately	Immediately	Next Business Day	Other			Suspect Immediately	Immediately	Next Business Day	Other
Zika virus	X	X			Zika virus	X	X	X

 

64DER16-2 (64D-3.040) Procedures for Control of Specific Communicable Diseases.

(9) Zika Virus. Practitioners, hospitals, and laboratories shall report any suspected or confirmed cases of the Zika virus immediately, as required in Rule 64DER16-1. Hospitals with suspected or confirmed cases of the Zika virus shall provide case status reports every twenty-four (24) hours to the Department’s State Epidemiologist. Physicians with suspected or confirmed cases of the Zika virus shall provide case status reports every seventy-two (72) hours to the Department’s State Epidemiologist. 

THIS RULE TAKES EFFECT UPON BEING FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNLESS A LATER TIME AND DATE IS SPECIFIED IN THE RULE.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/05/16