R386-702-1. Purpose Statement

  (1) The Communicable Disease Rule is adopted under authority of Sections 26-1-30, 26-6-3, and 26-23b.

  (2) This rule outlines a multidisciplinary approach to communicable and infectious disease control and emphasizes reporting, surveillance, isolation, treatment and epidemiological investigation to identify and control preventable causes of infectious diseases. Reporting requirements and authorizations are specified for communicable and infectious diseases, outbreaks, and unusual occurrence of any disease. Each section has been adopted with the intent of reducing disease morbidity and mortality through the rapid implementation of established practices and procedures.

  (3) The successes of medicine and public health dramatically reduced the risk of epidemics and early loss of life due to infectious agents during the twentieth century. However, the emergence of diseases such as Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and the rapid spread of diseases such as West Nile virus to the United States from other parts of the world, made possible by advances in transportation, trade, food production, and other factors, highlight the continuing threat to health from infectious diseases. Continual attention to these threats and cooperation among all health care providers, government agencies, and other entities that are partners in protecting the public's health are crucial to maintain and improve the health of the citizens of Utah.