Section 5-E2414. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES CONTRACTED BY STUDENTS

 

2414.1Adherence to the following preventive measures, designed to minimize the transmission of communicable diseases, shall be encouraged in all schools:

 

(a)Use of tissues or handkerchiefs when coughing or sneezing;

 

(b)Hand-washing before eating and after bathroom use;

 

(c)Exclusive use of combs and hats; and

 

(d)The handling of body fluids spills in accordance with the “Guidelines for Handling Body Fluids in Schools” issued by the District of Columbia Commissioner of Public Health.

 

2414.2The D.C. Public Schools shall provide students with information regarding communicable diseases including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS-Related Complex (ARC), and asymptomatic infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This information shall include instruction in measures designed to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

 

2414.3The parent or guardian of a minor student exhibiting any of the following symptoms, which may indicate the beginning of a communicable disease, shall be contacted concerning the student’s possible referral for medical examination:

 

(a)Sore throat;

 

(b)Runny eyes;

 

(c)Runny nose;

 

(d)Headache;

 

(e)Nausea;

 

(f)Vomiting;

 

(g)Diarrhea;

 

(h)Fever;

 

(i)Sneezing;

 

(j)Chills;

 

(k)Cough;

 

(l)Rash; and

 

(m)Jaundice.

 

2414.4A student suspected of having one of the following communicable diseases shall be referred to the school nurse, if available. A student found to have one of these diseases shall be excluded from school and re-admitted under the following conditions:

 

(a)Chickenpox: The student may return to school six (6) days after the appearance of the rash;

 

(b)Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”):

 

(1)Viral/Bacterial: The student may return to school after any redness and discharge have disappeared.  If the infection is confirmed by smear or culture, the student may return to school twenty-four (24) hours after commencement of antibiotic treatment with a physician’s note attesting to the diagnosis and the onset of treatment; or

 

(2)Allergic: The student may return to school following submission of a physician’s note stating the diagnosis;

 

(c)Acute Diarrhea (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella):

 

(1)Infectious: The student may return to school when he or she is no longer having diarrhea. Handwashing with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling food shall be stressed; or

 

(2)Non-infectious (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, food allergy, reaction to medication): The student may return to school upon submission of a physician’s note attesting to the diagnosis and the student’s fitness for school attendance;

 

(d)Hepatitis: The student may return to school upon submission of a physician’s note attesting to the student’s fitness for school attendance;

 

(e)Impetigo (bacterial infection of the skin):  The student may return to school with a physician’s note attesting to the fact that the student is undergoing treatment;

 

(f)Measles: The student may return to school four (4) days after the appearance of the rash;

 

(g)Meningitis: The student may return to school upon submission of a physician’s note attesting to the student’s fitness for school attendance;

 

(h)Mumps: The student may return to school nine (9) days after the onset of swelling or earlier if the swelling has subsided;

 

(i)Pediculosis (head lice): The student may return to school after treatment and when hair is nit-free;

 

(j)Pertussis (“whooping cough”): The student may return to school three (3) weeks after the onset of symptoms or seven (7) days after the onset of antibiotic therapy with a physician’s note attesting to the onset of such therapy;

 

(k)Pinworms: The student may return to school with a physician’s note indicating that the student has completed treatment;

 

(l)Ringworm: The student may return to school with a physician’s note indicating that the student is under treatment;

 

(m)Rubella (German measles): The student may return to school four (4) days after the appearance of the rash.

 

(n)Scabies (“itch mite”): The student may return to school upon submission of a physician’s note indicating that the student has been treated with a prescription lotion.

 

(o)Strep infection (scarlet fever, strep throat): The student may return to school within twenty-four (24) hours after beginning treatment with antibiotic drugs upon submission of a physician’s note indicating the onset of treatment and the student’s fitness for school attendance; and

 

(p)Tuberculosis: The student may return to school upon the written recommendation of the Tuberculosis Control Program of the District of Columbia Commissioner of Public Health.

 

2414.5Any information or record regarding a student with a communicable disease is confidential, and access to such information is to be limited to personnel with a need to know.

 

2414.6Disclosure of any information to individuals outside of the School System, except the school nurse or school physician, shall not be made without the express written consent of the parent or guardian of the infected minor student or of the adult student himself, except as provided in §§ 2414.7 and 2414.8.

 

2414.7The District of Columbia Commissioner of Public Health shall be immediately informed of students the following diseases:

 

(a)Measles;

 

(b)Meningococcal meningitis;

 

(c)Mumps;

 

(d)Pertussis;

 

(e)Rubella;

 

(f)Tuberculosis; and

 

(g)Hepatitis A and other food-borne illnesses (e.g. food poisoning).

 

2414.8To the extent permitted by law or regulation, the D.C. Public Schools shall provide the District of Columbia Commissioner of Public Health with information regarding students with AIDS, ARC or a positive test for antibodies to HIV, and other communicable diseases.

 

2414.9Decisions regarding the educational placement of students with AIDS, ARC and asymptomatic infection with the HIV virus shall be made on a case-by-case basis, based on the recommendation of the District of Columbia Commissioner of Public Health, taking into account both the neurological development and physical condition of the infected student and the general characteristics of the students in each educational setting considered, as well as the degree of student interaction in each possible placement.

 

2414.10If a subsequent change in the condition of a student with AIDS, ARC or asymptomatic infection with the HIV virus indicates a need to reevaluate a placement decision, the reevaluation shall also be made pursuant to the procedures set out in § 2414.9.

 

2414.11When a decision is made to place a student with AIDS, ARC or asymptomatic infection with the HIV virus in a school setting, the Superintendent, the school principal, the school nurse, and other personnel with a need to know shall be informed of the student’s infection and provided with guidance in regard to the student’s condition.

 

2414.12For purposes of this section, “communicable disease” shall be defined in accordance with § 201 of Title 22 of the DCMR. The Superintendent shall periodically inform School System personnel regarding any change in this definition.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 1260 (February 26, 1988).

EditorNote

The phrase “Commission of Public Health” has been changed to “Commissioner of Public Health.”