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99 <br /> <br />VI. Purpose <br />Communicable disease refers to diseases that can spread from one person to another, or are spread <br />through food, water, or other vectors that are contaminated or infected. A communicable disease <br />outbreak may present challenges that require an emergency response. In addition, emergencies and <br />disasters may create conditions that foster outbreaks of communicable disease. Reducing exposure or <br />stopping exposure to these diseases is an important public health function. <br />VII. Planning Assumptions <br />KCPHD has responded to incidents involving Tuberculosis, E. Coli, and pertussis outbreaks. <br />Outbreaks of measles, salmonellosis, and a variety of other communicable diseases have been <br />reported recently in the state and the nation. Disasters have the potential to disrupt systems that <br />protect the public from communicable disease. <br /> <br />VIII. Policies <br />KCPHD staff will follow disease-specific procedures, follow up, and reporting per Washington State <br />Department of Health requirements. Communicable disease response will follow the Communicable <br />Disease Reporting and Investigation policy (attachment *). Incidents that require issued health <br />orders, will follow the KCPHD Health Order policy (attachment *) <br /> <br />IX. Responsibilities <br />KCPHD will be responsible for the following activities: <br />Inform Kittitas County partner agencies and residents of 24/7 disease reporting contacts <br />Receive information regarding notifiable conditions or disease outbreaks. <br />Complete necessary disease investigations related to the notifiable condition and/or outbreak. <br />Enter disease investigation data into the state’s online reporting system. Implement exclusions within <br />childcares and/or school settings when necessary. <br />Request voluntary isolation and/or quarantine. <br />Provide a subject matter expert for the Kittitas County Emergency Operation Center. <br />Provide fully accessible public information on safety precautions to reduce exposure via press <br />releases, and media outreach. <br />Inform partner agencies as well as the general public of dangers associated with the emergency. <br />Inform partner agencies and responders of required prophylaxis and precautions. <br />Provide communicable disease treatment, as applicable or coordinate clinical management with the <br />appropriate lead agency. <br />Regardless of the agency lead, KCPHD will assess the severity of hazard and overall health and <br />safety of the situation. <br />Mitigation for disease control may include quarantine, isolation, exclusion, or a specific health order <br />issued to prevent the spread of disease. <br /> <br />X. Concept of Operations <br />Agencies that KCPHD may coordinate with include Washington State Department of Health, Kittitas <br />Valley Healthcare, local medical providers, fire response agencies, local law enforcement, and Red <br />Cross. <br />KCPHD staff may become aware of an incident in the following manner: