Policy 5141.22 - Infectious Diseases

Infectious Diseases

The Board of Education recognizes its dual responsibility to protect the health of students from risks posed by infectious diseases and to uphold the right of students to a free and appropriate education. The district requires all staff to routinely observe universal precautions to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens and prevent the spread of all infectious disease.

The admission of a student with a disease that is contagious within the school setting shall be determined by the Superintendent or designee in accordance with standard procedures. The district shall exclude students only in accordance with law.

Infectious Disease Prevention The Superintendent or designee shall collaborate with parents/guardians and local health agencies and organizations to develop a comprehensive approach to disease prevention that promotes preventative measures and education of students and staff.

The Superintendent or designee shall regularly review resources available from health experts to ensure that District programs are based on the most up-to-date information.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the District’s comprehensive health education program provides information about the prevention of infectious disease, including the nature of bloodborne pathogens and their transmission, as well as information to help prevent the spread of contagious diseases, such as pandemic influenza. The Superintendent or designee shall also ensure that each school has sufficient infection prevention supplies that are easily accessible to staff.

Students with Infectious Diseases

The Superintendent or designee shall exclude students only in accordance with law, Board policy, and administrative regulation. Because bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are not casually transmitted, the presence of infectious conditions of this type is not, by itself, sufficient reason to exclude students from attending school.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to inform the Superintendent or designee if their child has an infectious disease so that school staff may work cooperatively with the student’s parents/guardians to minimize the child’s exposure to other diseases in the school setting.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that student confidentiality rights are strictly observed in accordance with law.

Rule 5141.22

Rule Approved 06/02/1998

In determining whether to exclude a child with a suspected or diagnosed infectious disease, the Superintendent or designee shall consult the child's parent/guardian and the student's physician and/or the County Health Department, as required by law. The Superintendent or designee also may refer to the State Department of Health Services document Control of Communicable Disease in California for assistance in this determination.

Confidentiality

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that student confidentiality rights are strictly observed in accordance with law. No district employee shall release medical information, including knowledge of an HIV infection, without written consent from the parent/guardian. Such information may be shared only with those persons specifically named in the written permission.

Review Team

The parent/guardian of a student with HIV/AIDS may ask the Superintendent or designee to convene a review panel to make recommendations regarding appropriate programs and services. This panel may be an IEP team or a Section 504 review team. Panel participants should be determined in accordance with applicable law.

The parent/guardian of a student with HIV/AIDS may ask the Superintendent or designee to convene a review panel to make recommendations regarding appropriate programs and services. The parent/guardian must provide written permission for the disclosure of confidential information to each review panel member.