Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information collection request titled One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System (OHHABS) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC previously published a “Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations” notice on October 15, 2018 to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC received four comments related to the previous notice. This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.

CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments that:

(a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

(d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including, through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and

(e) Assess information collection costs.

To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call (404) 639-7570 or send an email to omb@cdc.gov. Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System (OHHABS) (OMB Control No. 0920-1105, Exp. Date 03/31/2019)—Extension—National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases requests a three-year extension for the One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System (OHHABS) for harmful algal bloom (HAB) and HAB-associated illness surveillance.

Algal toxins from Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) include some of the most potent natural chemicals; these toxins can contaminate surface water used for recreation and drinking, as well as food sources. HABs pose a threat to both humans and animals. Human and animal illnesses from environmental exposures to HABs in fresh and marine waters have been documented in the United States. Animal illness may be an indicator of bloom toxicity; thus, it is necessary to provide a One Health approach for reporting HAB-associated illnesses and events.

HABs are an emerging public health concern. Several outbreaks related to HABs in freshwater settings have occurred in the United States. In 2009-2010, 11 HAB-associated outbreaks in fresh water settings were reported to the CDC Waterborne Disease and Outbreak Surveillance System (WBDOSS). These 11 outbreaks represent 46% of the outbreaks associated with untreated recreational water reported in 2009-2010 and 79% of HAB-associated outbreak s reported to WBDOSS since 1978. At least 61 persons experienced health effects such as dermatologic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, or neurologic symptoms. In August 2014, detectable levels of microcystin, a potent HAB toxin, were detected in drinking water supply in Toledo, Ohio, resulting in a “do not drink” water advisory and an extensive emergency response.

Known adverse health effects from HABs in marine waters include respiratory illness and seafood poisoning. In 2007, 15 persons were affected with respiratory illness from exposures to brevetoxins, an algal toxin, during a Florida red tide. From 2007-2011, HAB-associated foodborne exposures were identified for 273 case reports of human illness through a separate five-year data collection effort with a subset of states. Of these reports, 248 reported ciguatera fish poisoning or poisoning by other toxins in seafood, including saxitoxin and brevetoxin. A review of national outbreak data reported to CDC for the time period 1998-2015 identified outbreaks of ciguatera fish poisoning as the second most common cause of fish-associated foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States.

The purpose of OHHABS is (1) to provide a database for routine data collection at the state/territorial and national level to identify and characterize HAB events, HAB-associated illnesses, and HAB exposures in the United States and (2) to better inform and improve our understanding of HAB-associated illnesses and exposures through routine surveillance to inform public health policy and illness prevention efforts. OHHABS (electronic, year-round collection) includes questions about HAB events and HAB-associated-illness for human and animal cases. OHHABS, a web-based reporting system, is nationally available for state and territorial health departments to voluntarily report information about HAB-associated human and animal cases and HAB events.

States and territories lacking a database to collect information on HAB events and HAB-associated illnesses may use OHHABS as a repository to track and review HAB events and HAB-associated illnesses within their state or territory. OHHABS data may help states and territories characterize the baseline frequency of HAB events and HAB-associated illnesses. Data from states and territories will be assessed by CDC to determine and characterize HAB events and HAB-associated illnesses nationally.

As with all routine public health surveillance conducted by CDC, participation by states and territorial health departments with OHHABS is voluntary. Participating states and territories will remain responsible for the collection and interpretation of these data elements at the state level and will voluntarily submit them to CDC. HAB event, and HAB-associated human and animal case definitions, which were created for OHHABS with input from state and federal partners, are available online to assist states and territories. States and territories that lack state-specific case and event definitions may use the HAB-associated human and animal case and HAB event definitions to identify suspect, probable, and confirmed HAB-associated cases and HAB events, respectively, to report to OHHABS.

There is no cost to respondents other than the time to participate. The estimated annual burden is 57 hours. Authorizing legislation comes from Section 301 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241).