Communicable Diseases Policy

Students with a communicable disease will be allowed to attend school provided their presence does not create a substantial risk of illness or transmission to other students or employees. The term “communicable disease” shall mean an infectious or contagious disease spread from person to person, or animal to person, or as defined by law.

Prevention and control of communicable diseases shall be included in the school district’s blood-borne pathogens exposure control plan. The procedures shall include scope and application, definitions, exposure control, methods of compliance, universal precautions, vaccination, post-exposure evaluation, follow-up, communication of hazards to employees and recordkeeping. This plan shall be reviewed annually by the superintendent and school nurse.

The health risk to immuno-depressed students shall be determined by their personal physician. The health risk to others in the school district environment from the presence of a student with a communicable disease shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the student’s personal physician, a physician chosen by the school district or public health officials.

A student shall notify the superintendent or the school nurse when the student learns the student has a communicable disease. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, when the superintendent or school nurse, upon investigation, has knowledge that a reportable communicable disease is present, to notify the Iowa Department of Public Heath. Health data of a student is confidential and it shall not be disclosed to third parties.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the school nurse, to develop administrative regulations stating the procedures for dealing with students with a communicable disease.

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Infectious Control Program / Blood Borne Pathogens

The Muscatine Community School District has initiated procedures to develop and implement an Infectious Control Program relating to the control of infectious disease hazards where employees may be exposed to direct contact with body fluids. The Infectious Control Program will be available to all district employees.