Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 36, September 6, 2024
Section 64-7-16 - Responsibilities of Local Health Officers16.1. Local health officers shall comply with the requirements of this rule.16.2. Local health officers shall annually notify health care providers, facilities and laboratories in their jurisdiction of the reporting requirements in this rule. Local health officers shall annually notify veterinarians, animal control officers, humane shelters and other persons of their responsibility for reporting animal bites and related potential rabies exposures under this rule.16.3. Local health officers shall maintain a record of the information they collect and the reports they make pursuant to this rule according to the record retention schedule for the local health department. They shall give the information and reports to their successor.16.4. Upon receipt of a reportable disease or condition report, a local health officer shall: 16.4.a. As circumstances require, investigate the source of the disease or condition, identify contacts, look for undetected and unreported cases, and implement the prevention and control methods specified by the protocols in the West Virginia Reportable Diseases Protocol Manual (available online at www.dide.wv.gov), or developed in consultation with the Commissioner;16.4.b. Act in accordance with the protocols established by the Commissioner in the West Virginia Reportable Diseases Protocol Manual (available online at www.dide.wv.gov), or recommendations developed in consultation with the Commissioner;16.4.c. Determine if required specimens have been collected and submitted; and if not, arrange for collection and submission of the necessary specimens to investigate the case, determine the source of the infection, and identify infection of contacts, as necessary. Local health officers shall submit specimens to the Bureau laboratory or other laboratory approved by the Commissioner;16.4.d. Give the patient, those persons caring for the patient, household members, and other contacts instructions and advice necessary to prevent the spread of the disease or condition; and16.4.e. Report any disease or condition listed in this rule to the Bureau within the time frame specified in each category.16.5. If the report received is a death certificate listing a reportable disease or condition, the local health officer shall ascertain whether the disease or condition was reported according to the requirements of this rule prior to the individual's death. As with any other report, the local health officer shall investigate the source of the disease or condition, identify contacts, and look for undetected and unreported cases and implement prevention and control measures as circumstances require.16.6. Whenever a local health officer knows of or suspects the existence of any reportable disease, outbreak or condition, and either no health care provider is in attendance, or the health care provider has failed or refused to comply with this rule, the local health officer shall investigate the alleged reportable disease, outbreak or condition. If the investigation establishes the existence of a reportable disease, outbreak or condition, the local health officer shall further investigate, manage, and report the disease or condition as required by this rule.16.7. If the local health officer determines that a health care provider, health care facility, laboratory, or other individual named in this rule as responsible for reporting failed to report a reportable disease, outbreak or condition, the local health officer shall notify the responsible individual or facility and shall request an explanation for the failure to report the disease as required by this rule.16.8. The local health officer shall report to the Commissioner the name and address of the health care provider, health care facility, laboratory, or other responsible individual named in this rule and his or her reason for failure to comply with the requirements of this rule.