3701.201 Rules for reporting bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, infectious agents, toxins posing risk of human fatality or disability.

3701.201 Rules for reporting bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, infectious agents, toxins posing risk of human fatality or disability.

(A) As used in this section, “bioterrorism” has the same meaning as in section 3701.232 of the Revised Code.

(B) The public health council shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code under which a poison prevention and treatment center or other health-related entity is required to report events that may be caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, or established or novel infectious agents or biological or chemical toxins posing a risk of human fatality or disability. Rules adopted under this section may require a report of any of the following:

(1) An unexpected pattern or increase in the number of telephone inquiries or requests to provide information about poison prevention and treatment and available services;

(2) An unexpected pattern or increase in the number of requests to provide specialized treatment, consultation, information, and educational programs to health care professionals and the public;

(3) An unexpected pattern or increase in the number of requests for information on established or novel infectious agents or biological or chemical toxins posing a risk of human fatality or disability that is relatively uncommon and may have been caused by bioterrorism.

(C) Each poison prevention and treatment center and other health-related entity shall comply with any reporting requirement established in rules adopted under division (B) of this section.

(D) Information reported under this section that is protected health information pursuant to section 3701.17 of the Revised Code shall be released only in accordance with that section. Information that does not identify an individual may be released in summary, statistical, or aggregate form.

Effective Date: 02-12-2004