Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,

[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]

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

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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:

Average Number of Number of burden per Respondents

respondents responses per response (in respondent

hours)

General Public..................................................

15,000

1

15/60 State and Local Officials.......................................

100

1

15/60

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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