Section 410IAC1-2.5-123. Plague; specific control measures

   The specific control measures for plague (infectious agent: Yersinia pestis) are as follows:

(1) An investigation by the local health officer shall be performed immediately to identify all contacts. Contacts are defined as those individuals who have been in household or face-to-face contact with patients with pneumonic plague. Establish if the case had traveled to endemic areas in the past seven (7) days. Determine if patients:

(A) were exposed to rodents, cats, or dogs; or

(B) visited areas of rodent habitat during travel.

(2) Standard precautions are required for hospitalized patients with bubonic plague. Droplet precautions for hospitalized patients with pneumonic plague are required until seventy-two (72) hours after the start of effective therapy.

(3) Concurrent disinfection is required for the following:

(A) Sputum and purulent discharges.

(B) Articles soiled with sputum and purulent discharges.

(4) Those who have had face-to-face contact or are in a household with patients shall be:

(A) placed on prophylaxis; and

(B) observed for seven (7) days.

Those who refuse prophylaxis must be isolated for seven (7) days.

(5) Immunization is not available. Close contacts (including medical personnel) shall be evaluated for prophylaxis. Contacts of pneumonic plague shall be provided prophylaxis as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(6) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists set the standard clinical and laboratory case definition.

(Indiana State Department of Health; 410 IAC 1-2.5-123; filed Nov 25, 2015, 2:54 p.m.: 20151223-IR-410150039FRA)