D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5, r. 5-E1023

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 5-E1023 - COMMUNICABLE DISEASES CONTRACTED BY EMPLOYEES

1023.1

An employee with one of the following communicable diseases shall be excluded from their duty location and permitted to return to work under the following conditions:

(a) Varicella ("Chickenpox"): An employee diagnosed with chickenpox, even if previously vaccinated, may return to work after lesions have crusted and upon submission of a licensed practitioner's note giving medical clearance to return to work;

(b) Conjunctivitis ("Pink Eye"):

(1) An employee diagnosed with viral conjunctivitis may return to work after any redness and discharge have disappeared;

(2) An employee diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis may return to work twenty-four (24) hours after commencing antibiotic treatment if a licensed practitioner provides a note attesting to the diagnosis, the onset of treatment, and that the employee is cleared to return to work; or

(3) An employee diagnosed with allergic conjunctivitis may return to work upon submitting a licensed practitioner's note stating the diagnosis;

(c) Acute Diarrhea:

(1) An employee with infectious diarrhea (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli) may return to work when diarrhea ends or upon submitting a health care provider's note providing medical clearance to return to work; or

(2) An employee with non- infectious diarrhea (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, food allergy, reaction to medication) may return to work when diarrhea ends and with instruction to thoroughly wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before handling food;

(d) An employee with a clinical syndrome such as meningitis or pneumonia resulting from Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) may return to work twenty-four (24) hours after completing [antibiotic] treatment and submitting a licensed practitioner's note attesting to the diagnosis and completion of treatment;

(e) Hepatitis:

(1) An employee with Hepatitis A may return to work one (1) week after onset of illness or jaundice and upon submitting a licensed practitioner's note providing medical clearance to return to work;

(2) An employee with Hepatitis B or C may return to work upon submitting a licensed practitioner's note providing medical clearance to return to work;

(f) Impetigo (bacterial infection of the skin): An employee diagnosed with Impetigo may return to work twenty- four (24) hours after beginning antibiotic therapy, provided all lesions are covered, and upon submitting a licensed practitioner's note stating that the employee is undergoing treatment;

(g) Measles: An employee diagnosed with Measles may return to work four (4) days after the appearance of rash and upon submitting a licensed practitioner's note providing medical clearance to return to work;

(h) Meningitis: An employee diagnosed with Meningitis may return to work upon submission of a licensed practitioner's note providing medical clearance to return to work;

(i) Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): An employee diagnosed with MRSA may return to work provided that all wound drainage ("pus") is covered and contained;

(j) Mumps: An employee diagnosed with Mumps may return to work five (5) days after the onset of swelling and upon submitting a licensed practitioner's note providing medical clearance to return to work;

(k) Pediculosis ( infestation of live head lice) : An employee diagnosed with Pediculosis may remain at work that day; however the employee should commence treatment at the conclusion of the work day. The employee may return to work upon submitting a written statement attesting to the fact that the employee is undergoing treatment. An employee with only Nits (eggs) shall not be excluded from work but shall monitor themselves for re- infestation and seek treatment accordingly;

(l) Pertussis ("Whooping Cough"): An employee diagnosed with Pertussis may return to work three (3) weeks after the onset of symptoms, if untreated, or five (5) days after starting antibiotic therapy and submitting a licensed practitioner's note attesting to the start of such therapy;

(m) Pinworms: An employee diagnosed with Pinworms may return to work twenty-four (24) hours after the first treatment and upon submitting a licensed practitioner's note stating that the employee is under treatment;

(n) Ringworm: An employee diagnosed with Ringworm may return to work upon submitting a licensed practitioner's note stating that the employee is under treatment;

(o) Rubella (German Measles): An employee diagnosed with Rubella may return to work seven (7) days after the appearance of the rash;

(p) Scabies ("Itch Mite"): An employee diagnosed with Scabies may return to work upon submission of a licensed practitioner's note indicating that the employee's treatment with a prescription lotion is complete;

(q) Strep infection (scarlet fever, strep throat): An employee diagnosed with Strep infection may return to work twenty-four (24) hours after beginning antibiotic treatment, provided the employee is without fever for twenty-four (24) hours, and upon submission of a licensed practitioner's note affirming the start of treatment and the employee's fitness for duty; and

(r) Tuberculosis:

(1) An employee diagnosed with active Tuberculosis may return to work upon providing written recommendation to return to work from the Tuberculosis Control Program of the Department of Health; and

(2) An employee diagnosed with latent Tuberculosis may return to work after initiating treatment and upon submission of a licensed practitioner's note giving medical clearance to return to work.

1023.2

A determination of whether, and/or under what circumstances, a food service employee, or an employee of a food service contractor, with amebiasis, campylobacteriosis, giardiasis, hepatitis A, salmonellosis, shigellosis, typhoid fever or other food-borne illnesses, shall be able to work shall be made on a case-by-case basis by the Director of the Department of Health.

1023.3

As necessary, the Department of Health shall be consulted regarding whether an employee infected with any other communicable disease shall be permitted to return to work in a capacity that involves contact with students or other employees.

1023.4

Any infected employee determined to be fit to return to work shall be treated in the same manner as any other employee, except that any restrictions or limitations in regard to the employee's performance of his or her duties, recommended by medical personnel, shall be implemented.

1023.5

Personnel policies and procedures regarding fitness-for-duty examinations, the granting of leave, and termination shall apply to any employee with a communicable disease.

1023.6

The Chancellor or an appropriate designee shall ensure that all employees School System personnel are provided with information concerning communicable diseases. This information shall include instruction in measures designed to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

1023.7

Any information or record regarding an employee with a communicable disease is confidential and access to such information is to be limited to only personnel who are legally required to be informed of the employee's communicable disease. Disclosure of any information to individuals outside of DCPS may not to be made without the express written consent of the employee; however, suspected or confirmed cases of the following communicable diseases shall be reported within two (2) hours to the Director of the Department of Health: measles, meningococcal meningitis, mumps, pertussis, rubella, tuberculosis, hepatitis A, and other food-borne illnesses (e.g., food poisoning).

1023.8

For purposes of this section, "communicable disease" shall be defined in accordance with 22-B DCMR § 201.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5, r. 5-E1023

Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 1256 (February 26, 1988); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 2945 (3/23/2018)

The phrase "Commission of Public Health" has been changed to "Commissioner of Public Health" throughout the section.