[Federal Register: December 12, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 238)]
[Notices]
[Page 74539-74540]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12de06-100]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[30Day-07-0008]
Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a
list of information collection requests under review by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of these requests, call
the CDC Reports Clearance Officer at (404) 639-5960 or send an e-mail
to omb@cdc.gov. Send written comments to CDC Desk Officer, Office of
Management and Budget, Washington, DC or by fax to (202) 395-6974.
Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.
Proposed Project
Emergency Epidemic Investigations (0920-0008)--Revision--Office of
Workforce and Career Development (OWCD), Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
Background and Brief Description
One of the objectives of CDC's epidemic services is to provide for
the prevention and control of epidemics and protect the population from
public health crises such as man made or natural biological disasters
and chemical emergencies. This objective is carried out, in part, by
training investigators, maintaining laboratory capabilities for
identifying potential problems, collecting and analyzing data, and
recommending appropriate actions to protect the public's health. When
state, local, or foreign health authorities request help in controlling
an epidemic or solving other health problems, CDC dispatches skilled
epidemiologists from the Epidemiologist Intelligence Service (EIS) to
investigate and resolve the problem.
The purpose of the Emergency Epidemic Investigation surveillance is
to collect data on the conditions surrounding and preceding the onset
of a problem. The data must be collected in a timely fashion so that
information can be used to develop prevention and control techniques,
to interrupt disease transmission and to help identify the cause of an
outbreak. Since the events necessitating the collections of information
are of an emergency nature, most data collection is done by direct
interview or written questionnaire and are one-time efforts related to
a specific outbreak or circumstance. If during the emergency
investigation, the need for further study is recognized, a project is
designed and separate OMB clearance is required. Interviews are
conducted to be as unobtrusive as possible and only the minimal
information necessary is collected. The Emergency Epidemic
Investigations is the principal source of data on outbreaks of
infectious and noninfectious diseases, injuries, nutrition,
environmental health and occupational problems.
Each investigation does contribute to the general knowledge about a
particular type of problem or emergency, so that data collections are
designed to take into account similar situations in the past. Some
questionnaires are standardized, such as investigations of outbreaks
aboard aircraft or cruise vessels.
The Emergency Epidemic Investigations provides a range of data on
the characteristics of outbreaks and those affected by them. Data
collected include demographic characteristics, exposure to the
causative agent(s), transmission patterns and severity of the outbreak
on the affected population. These data, together with trend data, may
be used to monitor the effects of change in the health care system,
planning of health services, improving the availability of medical
services and assessing the health status of the population.
Users of the Emergency Epidemic Investigations data include, but
are not limited to EIS Officers in investigating the patterns of
disease or injury, investigating the level of risky behaviors,
identifying the causative agent and identifying the transmission of the
condition and the impact of interventions.
Epi Trip Reports are delivered to the state health agency official
requesting assistance shortly after completion of the Emergency
Epidemic Investigation. The official can comment on both the timeliness
and the practical utility of the recommendations from the
investigation. CDC is requesting that a new form be added to the
current clearance. Upon completion of the Emergency Epidemic
Investigation, requesting officials at the state or local health
department will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire to assess
[[Page 74540]]
the promptness of the investigation and the usefulness of the
recommendations.
The total burden hours are 3,775. This slight increase over the
last request for clearance is due to additional data that will be
collected from the requesting state or local officials described above.
Estimated Annualized Burden Table:
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Average
Number of Number of burden per
Respondents respondents responses per response (in
respondent hours)
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General Public.................................................. 15,000 1 15/60
State and Local Officials....................................... 100 1 15/60
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Dated: December 6, 2006.
Joan F. Karr,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E6-21117 Filed 12-11-06; 8:45 am]
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