Sec. 10.06.01.11-1. Hepatitis, Viral Type C

A. Control of a Case. A physician in attendance upon a case of viral hepatitis type C shall educate that case on:

(1) The risks of transmission of viral hepatitis type C by:

(a) Sharing hypodermic needles and other injecting drug paraphernalia;

(b) Sexual transmission;

(c) Maternal-child transmission;

(d) Parenteral or permucosal exposure to blood or other infectious body fluids;

(e) Chronic hemodialysis;

(f) Transfusion; and

(g) Transplantation;

(2) How to reduce the risk of transmission of viral hepatitis type C to other individuals;

(3) The importance of an individual health evaluation to determine if treatment should be recommended;

(4) The importance of vaccination for viral hepatitis types A and B if the case is not already immune by reason of prior infection or prior vaccination; and

(5) The prevention of further liver injury or more serious liver disease or liver failure.

B. Control of Contacts. A physician or health officer in attendance upon a contact of viral hepatitis type C shall educate the contact about:

(1) Any risk factors and signs of infection due to viral hepatitis type C;

(2) Testing that is available to determine whether an infection due to viral hepatitis type C is present, and facilitate that testing if medically appropriate or if requested by the contact; and

(3) How to reduce the contact's risk of receiving viral hepatitis type C from others.

C. Infection Control. A health care provider shall:

(1) Practice standard precautions; and

(2) Implement and maintain, in hemodialysis centers and other settings where viral hepatitis type C transmission is known to be an increased risk, additional infection control measures based upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for prevention and control of hepatitis C infection and HCV-related chronic disease, as directed by the Secretary to reduce disease transmission.

D. Education. The Secretary, with the assistance of the health officer, shall provide professional and public education and informational materials on viral hepatitis type C, modes of transmission, and prevention of viral hepatitis type C.