3414 - Infectious Diseases

BOARD POLICY No. 3414

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases the superintendent shall implement procedures assuring that all school buildings are in compliance with state board of health rules and regulations regarding the presence of persons who have or have been exposed to infectious diseases deemed dangerous to the public health. Such procedures shall also prescribe the manner in which safeguards are taken to remove the danger to others.

The district shall require that the parents or guardian complete a medical history form at the beginning of each school year. The school nurse or director of health services may use such reports to advise the parent/guardian of the need for further medical attention and to plan for potential health problems in school.

The school principal is authorized to exclude a student who has been diagnosed by a physician or is suspected of having an infectious disease in accordance with the regulations within the Infectious Disease Control Guide (SPI, 3-1997). The principal and/or director of health services shall report the presence of any suspected case or cases of reportable communicable disease to the appropriate local health authority as required by the State Board of Health. Such information concerning a student's present and past health condition shall be treated as confidential. The principal shall cooperate with the local health officials in the investigation of the source of the disease.

The fact that a student has been tested for a sexually transmitted disease, the test result itself, any information relating to the diagnosis or treatment of a sexually transmitted disease, and any information regarding drug or alcohol treatment for a student must be kept strictly confidential. If the district has a release, the information may be disclosed pursuant to the restrictions in the release.

A school principal has the authority to send an ill child home with parent/guardian notification, without the concurrence of the local health officer, but if the disease is reportable, the Walla Walla County Health Department must be notified. The local health officer is the primary resource in the identification and control of infectious disease in community and school.

First Reading: May 7, 2002

Adopted by the Board: July 16, 2002