UAH Communicable Diseases Policy

Introduction

1. Definition. A communicable disease is any disease that can be transmitted from one individual directly to another individual. Body excretions provide the mode for transmission. Some communicable diseases can be spread by casual contact, such as colds, flu and tuberculosis from respiratory droplets, such as from coughing, sneezing or runny noses. Other communicable diseases require contact with blood from an infected individual, such as Hepatitis B and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (the virus that cases AIDS). Other communicable diseases require intimate contact with an infected individuals body fluids or genitalia, such as chlamydia, herpes and syphilis.
2. Prevention. One measure to prevent communicable diseases is to maintain appropriate immunizations and vaccinations. UAH encourages incoming students to have completed all recommended immunizations and to be aware of the availability of the meningococcal, hepatitis B and influenza vaccines.
3. Purpose. The purpose of this policy is to develop guidelines for the education and protection of both individuals and the University community at large.
   Non-discrimination. The University shall not unlawfully discriminate in enrollment or employment against any individual infected with a communicable disease.

Policy Foundations

1. University decisions will be guided by medical advice that is current and well-informed. University actions will recognize and consider the interests of individual members of the University community together with the interests of the University community at large and in accordance with existing laws and sound medical advice and practice.

Confidentiality

1. The University shall comply with all pertinent statutes and regulations which protect the privacy and welfare of members of the University community who suffer from a communicable disease as well as the welfare of others within the University community.
2. The University will maintain procedural safeguards throughout the University with the objective of protecting the privacy of persons living with a communicable disease.
3. All confidential medical information about an individual will be handled in compliance with legal requirements and professional ethical standards. The University will not disclose the identity of any employee or student who has a communicable disease, except as authorized by law, when necessary for the administration of this policy, or pursuant to guidelines following the general standards included in the American College Health Association's Recommended Standards and Practices for a College Health Program, fourth edition:
• “In general, it is recommended that no specified or detailed information concerning complaints or diagnosis be provided to faculty, administrators, parents or relative, without the expressed written consent of the patient in each case.”
• In some cases, health providers are required by law to report infectious diseases. Chapter 420-4-1 identifies diseases/conditions which must be reported to the county or state Health Department. These include (but are not limited to): measles, tuberculosis, E. coli, HIV and mumps.

University Responsibilities

1. This policy applies to all students, faculty and staff at UAH.
2. Actions taken by the University will comply with the applicable laws relating to public health practices, rights of individuals, and protection for the welfare of the community.
3. The University shall develop and maintain an educational program about communicable diseases.
4. The University (through the Wellness and Counseling Centers) shall identify sources of competent and confidential testing for communicable diseases as well as counseling services upon request.
5. The University shall identify sources of qualified medical care and encourage those with communicable diseases to utilize such sources.
6. Decisions in all situations involving students or employees with health problems are to be made on a case by case basis, based on the medical facts in each case and with concern for the confidentiality and best interest of all parties involved.
7. This policy is subject to applicable University student and personnel policies regarding illness and disability.
8. The University shall widely publicize and carefully observe safety guidelines (such as “universal precautions”) established by the U.S. Public Health Service for the handling of blood and other body fluids and secretions, in all health care facilities maintained by the University and in other institutional contexts in which such fluids or secretions may be encountered (e.g., teaching and laboratory facilities). All students, faculty and staff must use appropriate barrier precautions to prevent skin and mucous-membrane contact with blood and other body fluids of any person. Responsibility for implementation of this policy rests with the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA).

Notification

1. The VPSA should be notified about all known acute cases of any communicable disease involving any member of the UAH community (students, faculty, or staff) when the disease is serious enough to pose a significant threat to the health of others (e.g., those that can be fatal or produce chronic consequences such as TB, measles and bacterial meningitis). After receiving this information, the VPSA will convey only the necessary information to members of the Communicable Diseases Management Team (CDMT).

Communicable Diseases Management Team (CDMT)

1. The CDMT reports to the President of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The CDMT may be composed of the following representatives as deemed relevant in a case-by-case determination.
1. Vice President of Student Affairs, or designee (representing the President)
2. Provost or designee (if any faculty member could be affected)
3. Associate V.P. of Human Resources, or designee (if any staff could be affected)
4. Director of Public Safety
5. Director of University Relations
6. A medical professional from the Wellness Center
7. Director of the Counseling Center
8. A lawyer for the University
9. Director of University Housing (if student lives on campus)
10. Director of Athletics (if student athlete is involved)
2. The CDMT will be responsible for the following tasks:
1. Notifying the Alabama Public Health Department about the disease.
2. Obtaining latest recommendations about the management and prevention of the spread of the disease and requesting appropriate vaccines and/or medications, as well as requesting additional professional and clerical assistance, if deemed necessary.
3. Investigating potential single source of the outbreak, seeking to identify all campus members who may have been exposed and providing appropriate medical intervention or referral.
4. Providing education to the campus about how to identify and report any signs and symptoms of the illness.
5. Determining appropriate media communication of information.
6. Determining current and on-going risk to members of the campus community to make decisions about accessibility to campus resources and facilities.

Persons diagnosed with a communicable disease

1. Persons who know, or have reason to believe, they have a communicable disease are expected to seek expert advice about their health circumstances. They are obligated, ethically and legally, to conduct themselves responsibly in accordance with such knowledge for the protection of other members of the University community. This includes confidentially reporting to the CDMT any known risk of disease or danger to other members of the campus community.
2. After an outbreak and before returning to work or school, members of the UAH community who have been diagnosed as having a communicable disease MUST receive a letter from his/her physician or primary care provider documenting that he/she is medically cleared (i.e., is no longer infectious to others) and is therefore able to return to school or work as of a specified date. This information should be presented to the CDMT who will keep such records filed and confidential.
3. Students diagnosed with certain communicable diseases must be isolated during the infectious period of their illness. Therefore, they may not be able to continue attending class, obtaining meals in the various universities dining facilities, or living in the residence halls. Except in the cases listed above, persons who have been diagnosed with a communicable disease shall not be excluded from enrollment or employment or restricted in their access to University facilities or services unless a medically-based judgment in an individual case establishes that exclusion or restriction is necessary to the welfare of the infected individual (e.g., has care needs or inappropriate behaviors that cannot be reasonably accommodated) or the welfare of other members of the university community.