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ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
RULES PERTAINING TO REPORTABLE DISEASES
Promulgated Under the Authority of
Ark. Code Ann. §§ 20-7-101 et seq.
Effective September 11, 2023
Arkansas Department of Health
Little Rock, Arkansas
Renee Mallory, RN, BSN,
Interim Secretary of Health
Jennifer Dillaha, MD
Director and State Health Officer
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RULES PERTAINING TO REPORTABLE DISEASES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AUTHORITY ........................................................................................................................................ 4
PURPOSE .............................................................................................................................................. 4
SECTION I. DEFINITIONS: ................................................................................................................ 4
SECTION III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPORTING. ...................................................................... 5
SECTION IV. NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND CONDITIONS ......................................................... 5
SECTION V. DISEASES AND CONDITIONS ................................................................................... 6
SECTION VI. OTHER DISEASES. ................................................................................................... 11
SECTION VII. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SECRETARY. ............................................................ 11
SECTION VIII. CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS. ............................................................................ 11
SECTION IX. ISOLATION. ............................................................................................................... 11
SECTION X. STATE AND LOCAL QUARANTINE ....................................................................... 12
SECTION XI. TERMINAL DISINFECTION. ................................................................................... 12
SECTION XII. IDENTIFICATION OF THE BODY OF A DECEASED PERSON WHO HAS BEEN
INFECTED BY A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE ............................................................................ 12
SECTION XIII. PROTECTION OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE EMPLOYEES ............................ 12
SECTION XIV. EXCLUSION AND READMISSION TO SCHOOL OR CHILD CARE
FACILITIES. ....................................................................................................................................... 13
SECTION XV. TUBERCULOSIS. ..................................................................................................... 13
SECTION XVI. PUBLIC FOOD HANDLERS .................................................................................. 13
SECTION XVII. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN DAIRIES ....................................................... 14
SECTION XVIII. LABORATORY TESTS FOR THE RELEASE OF CASES OR CARRIERS OF
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES ......................................................................................................... 14
SECTION XIX. DIPHTHERIA LABORATORY SPECIMENS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND
RELEASE ............................................................................................................................................ 14
SECTION XX. TYPHOID FEVER .................................................................................................... 14
SECTION XXI. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (SYPHILIS, GONORRHEA,
CHLAMYDIA, HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS), CHANCROID,
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LYMPHOGRANULOMA VENEREUM, GRANULOMA INGUINALE) AND OPHTHALMIA
NEONATURUM (GONORRHEAL OPHTHALMIA) ...................................................................... 17
SECTION XXII. RABIES CONTROL. .............................................................................................. 18
SEVERABILITY ................................................................................................................................. 18
REPEAL .............................................................................................................................................. 18
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AUTHORITY
These Rules Pertaining to Reportable Diseases are duly adopted and promulgated by the Arkansas State
Board of Health pursuant to the authority expressly conferred by the Laws of the State of Arkansas
including, without limitation, Ark. Code Ann. § 20-7-101 et seq.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Rules Pertaining to Reportable Diseases is to provide for the prevention and control
of communicable diseases and to protect the public health, welfare and safety of the citizens of
Arkansas.
SECTION I. DEFINITIONS:
A. Board means the Arkansas State Board of Health.
B. Complete quarantine means the limitation of freedom of movement of such well persons or
domestic animals as have been exposed to a communicable disease, for a period of time not longer
than the longest usual incubation period of the disease, in such manner as to prevent effective contact
with those not so exposed.
C. Secretary means the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health.
D. Department means the Arkansas Department of Health.
E. Emergency response employee means firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical
technicians, first responders, and other individuals including employees of volunteer organizations
without regard to whether such employees receive compensation who, in the performance of
professional duties, respond to emergencies in the State of Arkansas.
F. Isolation means the separation for special consideration, control or observation of some part of a
group of persons or domestic animals from the others to facilitate control of a communicable disease
(e.g., establishments of a sanitary boundary to protect uninfected from infected portions of a
population.)
G. Medical provider means any hospital, physician, nurse, hospital employee, nursing home, nursing
home employee, or other health care provider.
H. Modified quarantine means a selective, partial limitation of freedom of movement of persons or
domestic animals, commonly on the basis of known or presumed differences in susceptibility, but
sometimes because of danger of disease transmission. It may be designed to meet particular
situations. Examples are exclusion of children from school; exemption of immune persons from
provisions required of susceptible persons (e.g., contacts acting as food handlers); restriction of
military populations to the post or quarters.
I. Personal surveillance means the practice of close medical or other supervision of contacts in order
to promote prompt recognition of infection or illness, but without restricting their movements.
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SECTION II. GENERAL MEASURES FOR THE CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.
The current edition of "Control of Communicable Diseases Manual," published by the American Public
Health Association, will generally be accepted for applying control measures for communicable
diseases.
SECTION III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPORTING.
A. It shall be the duty of every physician, practitioner, nurse; every superintendent or manager of
a dispensary, hospital, clinic, nursing or extended care home; any clinical or private laboratory; any
person in attendance on a case of any of the diseases or conditions declared notifiable; or the local
health department to report the disease or condition to the Department as provided in Section III(D).
B. Any person who determines by laboratory examination that a specimen derived from the human
body yields evidence suggestive of a reportable disease shall report microscopical, cultural or other
evidence of the presence of any of the diseases declared notifiable within twenty-four (24) hours, to
the Department as provided in Section III(D),.
C. It shall be the duty of every superintendent of a public school district or such person(s)
designated by the superintendent of the public school distrrict, to report immediately to the Department
any outbreak of three (3) or more cases of any of the conditions declared notifiable as provided in
Section III(D).
D. Each report made under this Section, or as provided in these Rules, shall be made utilizing one
of the following methods:
1. The preferred electronic reporting portal using the HL7 feed or other reporting portal
provided by the Department;
2. Direct calls, preferred for unusual cases or cluster information, to 1-501-280-4115 during
the normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, or to 1-800-554-5738 outside
normal business hours, with the information available as provided in the Surveillance
Reporting Form as provided herein; or,
3. Faxes using the Surveillance Reporting Form herein along with any pertinent lab information
and notes to 1-501-661-2428.
E. The Surveillance Reporting Form may be found at
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/CommunicableDiseaseReportingForm.pdf
.
SECTION IV. NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND CONDITIONS
A. Notifiable diseases and conditions are to be reported within 24 hours of diagnosis to the
Department as provided in Section III(D). Reports should include:
1. The reporter's name, location and phone number.
2. The name of the disease reported and the onset date.
3. The patient's name, date of birth, address including county of residence, phone number, age,
sex and race. (PLEASE spell the patient's name.)
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4. The attending physician's name, location and phone number.
5. Any treatment information, if known.
6. Any pertinent laboratory or other information used in the diagnosis.
B. Additional disease-specific information may be requested. Any person desiring to further
discuss reportable diseases may call the Division of Epidemiology at (501) 280-4115 during normal
business hours or 1-800-554-5738 after hours, holidays and weekends.
SECTION V. DISEASES AND CONDITIONS
A. NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND CONDITIONS
Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)
Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Anaplasma phacogytophila
Animal Bites
Anthrax**
Arboviral neuroinvasive and non-neuroinvasive diseases
Babesiosis
Bacillus cereus or Bacillus species that cannot be ruled out as B. anthracis or B.
cereus by anthracis
Blastomycosis
Botulism** (foodborne, infant, wound, other)
Brucellosis
CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Count
Campylobacteriosis (includes all isolates, not just those outbreak-related or on request)
Candida auris infection
Infections caused by Carbapenemase producing organisms (CPO)
Chagas Disease
Chancroid
Chikungunya
Chlamydial infections
Cholera
Coccidioidomycosis (caused by Coccidioides)
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2)
Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease
Cryptococcosis
Cryptosporidiosis
Cyclosporiasis
Dengue (Dengue Fever, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, Dengue Shock Syndrome)
Diphtheria
Ehrlichiosis
Emerging threat agents
Encephalitis caused by: California serogroup virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Powassan virus,
St. Louis encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, Western equine encephalitis virus
Encephalitis, all types
E. coli (Shiga toxin producing)
Food Poisoning, all types
Giardiasis
Glanders
Gonorrhea
Haemophilus influenzae Invasive Disease
Hansens Disease (Leprosy)
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome
Hepatitis (Type A, B, C, or E)
Histoplasmosis
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)* (Qualitative, Quantitative, and Genotyping tests included
even if no virus is detected)
Influenza (Indicate viral type if known) all fatal cases and all hospitalizations regardless of age
Legionellosis
Leptospirosis
Listeriosis
Lyme Disease
Malaria
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Measles (Rubeola)
Melioidosis
Meningitis, all types
Meningococcal Infections**
Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) caused by MERS-CoV**
Monkeypox
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A)
Mumps
Novel Coronavirus**
Novel Influenza A Virus Infections**
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Plague** (Yersinia pestis)
Poliomyelitis**
Psittacosis
Q Fever**
Rabies, human and animal
Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis
Rubella, including congenital infection
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus (SARS) caused by SARS-CoV-1**
Salmonellosis (including Typhoid)
Shigellosis (includes all isolates, not just those outbreak-related or on request)
Streptococcal Disease, Invasive Group A
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Invasive disease, include antibiotic resistance profile if performed
Syphilis*, including congenital infection
Tetanus
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Toxoplasmosis
Trichinellosis (Trichinosis)
Tuberculosis
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Tularemia**
Typhus**
Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Varicella (Chickenpox) disease or death
Variola** (Smallpox)
Vibriosis – non cholera sp.
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers** (Crimean-Congo, Ebola, Lassa, Lujo, Marburg, New World Arenavirus,
Guanarito, Junin, Machupo, Sabia)
West Nile Virus
Yellow Fever
Yersiniosis (non-pestis; any species including enterocolitica)
Zika
* Any woman infected with AIDS, HIV or Syphilis, who is pregnant, must be so reported indicating
the trimester of pregnancy. This applies each time the woman becomes pregnant.
** These diseases (suspected or confirmed) must be reported immediately to the Arkansas Department
of Health. These diseases are of special importance or may indicate a bioterrorism event. To report
these diseases (suspected or confirmed), please call (501) 280-4115 between the hours of 8:00 AM –
4:30 PM, or 1-800-554-5738 after hours, holidays and weekends. Further, any isolates from these
organisms must be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health Laboratory.
Note: “Certain Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) are required to be reported to the ADH via
the National Healthcare Safety Network. Their omission above should not be interpreted as a release
from this reporting requirement.”
B. REPORTABLE OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL
EXPOSURES
Asbestosis
Blood Heavy Metal Levels*
Blood Lead Levels**
Byssinosis
Chemical Exposures, All Types ***
Clinical Radiation Adverse Event
Pesticide Exposures
Pneumoconiosis (Coal Workers)
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Mesothelioma
Silicosis
Suspected Unintentional Radiation Exposure
* Any elevated blood level of mercury, arsenic, cadmium or other heavy metal
** Blood lead levels 3.5 µg/dl or higher for patients 72 months old or younger, and levels 10 µg/dl or
higher for patients ≥ 73 months of age
*** Includes chemical agents of terrorism
C. REPORT ANY UNUSUAL DISEASES OR OUTBREAKS THAT MAY REQUIRE PUBLIC
HEALTH ASSISTANCE. Any unusual disease or outbreak must be reported immediately to the
Department. To report these diseases (suspected or confirmed), please call (501) 280-4115 between the
hours of 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, or 1-800-554-5738 after hours, holidays and weekends.
D. Clinical samples or isolates containing the disease agents listed in this section must be submitted to
the Department laboratory for further identification testing. This may include viral or bacterial
isolates or human tissue or blood samples containing the agent. In the case of stool testing, if no
isolate containing the live pathogen is available, then the raw stool should be submitted.
Bacillus cereus bv anthracis or Bacillus species that cannot be ruled out as B. anthracis or B.
cereus bv anthracis)
Brucellosis
Burkholderia mallei
Burkholderia pseudomallei
Campylobacter species
Candida auris (Candida haemulonii)
Carbapenemase producing organisms (CPO)
Chemical agents of terrorism
Emerging threat agents
Haemophilus influenza, invasive isolates
Listeria species
Neisseria meningitidis
Salmonella species
Shiga toxin producing E. coli
Shigella species
Vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
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Vibrio cholerae
Vibrio parahaemoliticus
Vibrio vulnificus
SECTION VI. OTHER DISEASES.
All outbreaks of diseases on the list (or other emerging diseases not specifically mentioned on the list)
should be reported immediately (within 4 hours). To report these diseases (suspected or confirmed),
please call (501) 280-4115 between the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, or 1-800-554-5738 after hours,
holidays and weekends.
All unusually drug resistant infections should be reported within 24 hours to the Department.
Other diseases not named in these lists may at any time be declared notifiable as the necessity and
public health demand, and these rules shall apply when so ordered by the Secretary.
SECTION VII. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SECRETARY.
When the Secretary has knowledge or is informed of the existence of a suspected case or outbreak of a
communicable disease:
A. The Secretary shall take whatever steps necessary for the investigation and control of the disease,
as authorized by Acts of the Arkansas General Assembly under Title 20 of the Arkansas Code, et
al.
B. If the Secretary finds that the nature of the disease and the circumstances of the case or outbreak
warrant such action, the Secretary shall make, or cause to be made, an examination of the patient in
order to verify the diagnosis, make an investigation to determine the source of the infection, and
take appropriate steps to prevent or control spread of the disease.
SECTION VIII. CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS.
If the Secretary has reasonable cause to suspect that any person who is HIV positive is intentionally
engaging in conduct that is likely to cause the transmission of the virus, the Secretary may issue an
order to said person to cease and desist such conduct. Failure to comply immediately shall constitute a
violation of these rules. Such violation shall be promptly reported to the prosecuting attorney in the
county where the person resides for appropriate action.
SECTION IX. ISOLATION.
It shall be the duty of the attending physician or other attending medical provider, immediately upon
discovering a disease requiring isolation, to cause the patient to be isolated pending official action by
the Secretary. Such medical provider also shall advise other members of the household regarding
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precautions to be taken to prevent further spread of the disease, and shall inform them as to appropriate,
specific, preventive measures. The medical provider shall, in addition, furnish the patient's attendant
with such detailed instructions regarding the disinfection and disposal of infective secretions and
excretions as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health.
SECTION X. STATE AND LOCAL QUARANTINE
A. The Secretary shall impose such quarantine restrictions and regulations upon commerce and
travel by railway, common carriers, or any other means, and upon all individuals as in his judgment,
as the Governor-appointed and Arkansas Senate-confirmed public health officer for the State, may be
necessary to prevent the introduction of communicable disease into the State, or from one place to
another within the State.
B. No quarantine regulations of commerce or travel shall be instituted or operated by any place,
city, town or county against another place or county in this or in any other State except by authority of
the Secretary, as delineated by Act of the Arkansas General Assembly and codified in Title 20 of the
Arkansas Code.
C. No person shall interfere with any health authority having jurisdiction, or carry or remove from
one building to another, or from one locality to another within or without the State, any patient affected
with a communicable disease dangerous to the public health except as provided under the rules
governing the transportation of same.
SECTION XI. TERMINAL DISINFECTION.
Each person released from quarantine or isolation shall take such measures as are required by the
Department for that particular disease. The area of isolation shall be disinfected according to the
instructions of the Department.
SECTION XII. IDENTIFICATION OF THE BODY OF A DECEASED PERSON WHO HAS BEEN
INFECTED BY A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
Any physician or any other person who has reason to believe that a deceased person may have been
infected by Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) shall immediately after death attach to the large digit of
the right foot, a red indicator measuring no less than 3 inches by 5 inches, which clearly states that the
patient may have been infected with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). If the body is wrapped in plastic
sheets or other covering material and the toe tag is not visible, a duplicate clearly visible tag shall be
applied to the outside covering material.
SECTION XIII. PROTECTION OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE EMPLOYEES
A. Any emergency response employee who fears that he or she has been exposed to a
communicable disease may notify the Department. Upon notification, the Department shall determine
if the exposure requires additional investigation. In the event that it is determined that the exposure is
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one which should not create the risk of transmission of a communicable disease, the emergency
response employee shall be so notified. If requested, he or she will be instructed as to additional steps
that may be taken to confirm that no exposure to actual disease has occurred. If the Department
determines that the exposure was one that could have caused the transmission of a communicable
disease, the Department shall immediately contact the treating physician to determine if the patient
was infected with a communicable disease. If it is determined that the individual was infected with a
communicable disease, the emergency response employee shall be contacted immediately by the
Department and counseled concerning the recommended course of action.
B. Any medical provider who has knowledge that an emergency response employee has been
exposed to a communicable disease shall notify the Department immediately. The Department shall
contact the emergency response employee immediately and provide appropriate counseling concerning
the appropriate course of action.
C. Any medical provider who has knowledge that a patient with a communicable disease is being
transferred, transported or treated by an emergency response employee shall, prior to said transfer,
transportation or treatment notify the emergency response employee of the patient's communicable
condition.
SECTION XIV. EXCLUSION AND READMISSION TO SCHOOL OR CHILD CARE
FACILITIES.
Under these duly promulgated Rules, it shall be the duty of the principal or other person in charge of
any public or private schools, or child care facilities, at the direction of the Department, to exclude
therefrom any child, teacher or employee affected with a communicable disease until the individual is
certified free of disease, by written notice from a physician, school nurse, public health nurse or the
Department.
SECTION XV. TUBERCULOSIS.
Refer to the Rules Pertaining to the Control of Communicable Diseases - Tuberculosis, Arkansas State
Board of Health, as last amended.
SECTION XVI. PUBLIC FOOD HANDLERS
No person known to be infected with a communicable disease, or suspected of being infected with a
communicable disease, or who has been found to be a carrier of disease-producing organisms, shall
engage in the commercial handling of food, or be employed on a dairy or on premises handling milk
or milk products, until he is determined by the Department to be free of such disease or incapable of
transmitting the infection.
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SECTION XVII. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN DAIRIES
A. When the Department has good cause to believe that a milk supply is suspected to be the source
of infection for any one of the communicable diseases known to be transmitted through milk, the
Department shall prohibit the use, sale, or disposal of such milk except by a method approved by the
Secretary until such time as the Secretary deems it to be safe for human consumption.
B. When a case of Typhoid Fever, Salmonella infection, Brucellosis, Shigellosis, Pulmonary
Streptococcal infection, Diphtheria, or any other disease capable of being transmitted through milk is
confirmed on the premises where a dairy is maintained, the Department shall prohibit the use, sale or
disposal of such milk except by a method approved by the Secretary until he is satisfied that such is
safe for human consumption.
SECTION XVIII. LABORATORY TESTS FOR THE RELEASE OF CASES OR CARRIERS OF
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
When laboratory tests are required for the release of cases, or carriers, the tests shall be performed by
the Public Health Laboratory or by another laboratory approved by the State Epidemiologist. A
specimen may be sent to a laboratory not so approved, provided that it is divided and a portion of the
specimen is sent to an approved laboratory. Release shall be considered on the basis of the report of
the approved laboratory only.
SECTION XIX. DIPHTHERIA LABORATORY SPECIMENS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND RELEASE
A. Cultures should be obtained separately from the nose and throat by means of sterile swab and
test tube as provided by the Department for aid in diagnosis.
B. A case or carrier of Diphtheria shall not be released until two cultures from the throat and two
from the nose, taken not less than twenty-four (24) hours apart, fail to show the presence of Diphtheria
bacilli. The first of such cultures shall be taken not less than one week from the day of the onset of the
disease. A virulence test should be made in any case where positive cultures are reported three weeks
or longer after the onset of the disease or discovery of a carrier. If the organisms are non-virulent, the
patient may be released.
SECTION XX. TYPHOID FEVER
A. Laboratory Specimens for Diagnosis of Cases and Release
1. Samples of feces and whole blood submitted to the Public Health Laboratory for culture
within the first week of the suspected case of Typhoid Fever give the greatest probability of
obtaining a positive result insofar as the culture is concerned. Such cultures when positive
are the only proof of diagnosis of Typhoid Fever.
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2. All patients testing positive for Typhoid Fever should undergo additional testing to
determine if they are a carrier. Carrier testing involves submission of successive stool
samples at least one month apart until three negative samples are obtained.
3. Patients who have been determined to have Typhoid Fever shall be isolated or excluded for
such period as required, and shall be released from isolation and from supervision only by
the health authority. If the person is continent and does not work in food-handling then they
do not have to be excluded. If the person is incontinent or a food-handler then they will be
required to be excluded from job duties and followed by the department until they have three
negative stool samples at least one month apart and are cleared through the Arkansas
Department of Health.
B. Typhoid Carriers
1. Any person who has recovered from Typhoid Fever and in whose feces or urine Typhoid
bacilli are present one year or longer after such recovery shall be declared to be a chronic
carrier. Any person who has recently recovered from Typhoid Fever and from whose feces
or urine Typhoid organisms are cultured by the Public Health Laboratory during the first
year from such recovery shall be considered a convalescent, or temporary carrier, and shall
conform to all the Rules regarding the control of Typhoid carriers. Any person found in the
investigation of a case or cases of Typhoid Fever from whose feces or urine Typhoid bacilli
are cultured by the Public Health Laboratory shall be declared to be a chronic carrier except
that such person be one who has recently recovered from Typhoid Fever.
2. Control of Typhoid Carriers
a) The urine and feces of a Typhoid carrier shall be disposed of in such a manner
that they will not endanger any public or private water supply, or be accessible to flies.
b) No Typhoid carrier shall prepare or handle any food or drink to be consumed
by persons other than members of the household with whom he resides.
c) No Typhoid carrier shall conduct or be employed in any restaurant, hotel or
boarding house, or conduct a lodging house in which, prior to taking lodgers, a separate
toilet and bathroom have not been installed for the use solely of the Typhoid carrier.
Said toilet shall be located in a part of the house separate from any part that may be
occupied by a lodger.
d) Any person determined to be a Typhoid carrier as defined in these Rules shall
sign an AGREEMENT, to be witnessed by at least two persons. Said AGREEMENT
shall read as follows:
TYPHOID CARRIER AGREEMENT
In view of the fact that I have been proven to be a Typhoid carrier, I do solemnly swear to abide by the
following rules as long as I remain a Typhoid carrier, which I understand will probably be for the
remainder of my life:
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1. Under no circumstances will I handle milk or milk products such as cream, ice cream, butter or
cheese, nor any other foodstuffs, nor will I do any cooking of food except for my own individual
consumption and for those members of my immediate family who have been immunized against
typhoid fever within the past three years.
2. Following each visit to the toilet I will wash my hands thoroughly with soap and water.
3. I will inform the Arkansas Department of Health, Outbreak Response Section, 4815 West Markham
Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-3867, by phone at 1-501-537-8969, in advance of any change
in address from that listed below.
Signature of Carrier
Complete Address of Carrier
Signatures and addresses of two witnesses
Name Address
Name Address
Date of Signing
3. Release of Chronic Typhoid Carriers from Control Restrictions
a) A chronic Typhoid carrier may be released from restrictions only on approval
of the Secretary and only after submitting proof of a minimum of six (6) consecutive
negative feces cultures (for urinary carriers, urine cultures) taken at least one (1) month
apart and at least ten (10) days after taking any antibiotic, and performed by the
Division of Laboratories of the Department. At least two (2) of the specimens must be
liquid stools obtained after administration of a cathartic such as magnesium sulfate. At
least two (2) of the specimens must be validated by collection under close supervision
as having come from the carrier. For fecal carriers, the identity of the specimen may be
confirmed by oral administration of a suitable marker material under supervision and
finding this material in a specimen. Cultures of duodenal fluid may be substituted for
stool cultures, if desired.
b) A released chronic carrier who wishes to work in a food handling or other
occupation from which carriers are excluded must present evidence from a Local
Health Department that he has received instruction in methods of food handling and
personal hygiene. While employed in such a restricted occupation he must submit
evidence of a negative stool (or urine if appropriate) culture and additional food
handling instruction every year.
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SECTION XXI. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (SYPHILIS, GONORRHEA,
CHLAMYDIA, HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS), CHANCROID,
LYMPHOGRANULOMA VENEREUM, GRANULOMA INGUINALE) AND OPHTHALMIA
NEONATURUM (GONORRHEAL OPHTHALMIA)
A. Testing of pregnant women.
1. Every physician attending a pregnant woman shall take, or cause to be taken, a sample
of venous blood at the time of first examination and during the third trimester, ideally at 28 to
32 weeks gestation, and submit such sample to an approved laboratory for a standard serologic
test for Syphilis; a standard test for Human Immunodeficiency Virus; and a standard test for
Hepatitis B. Any person other than a physician permitted by law to attend pregnant women but
not permitted by law to take blood samples, shall cause a specimen of blood to be taken by, or
under the direction of a physician duly licensed to practice medicine and surgery, and have
such specimen submitted to an approved laboratory for testing.
2. Any person reporting a birth or stillbirth shall state on the certificate whether a blood
test for Syphilis had been made upon a specimen of blood taken from the woman who bore the
child for which a birth or stillbirth certificate is filed and the approximate date when the
specimen was taken.
B. Ophthalmia Neonatorum (Gonorrhea Ophthalmia)
1. Ophthalmia Neonatorum is to be reported to the Epidemiology Program, Arkansas
Department of Health, as soon as the disease is suspected.
2. It shall be the duty of the local health authority in whose jurisdiction the case occurs to
investigate the case to confirm the diagnosis by bacteriological examination and, if of
Gonococcal origin, to determine if the attendant at delivery used prophylactic medication in
the eyes of the infant.
3. Due to the nature of the infection and its communicability, and inasmuch as Gonorrheal
Ophthalmia is amenable to antimicrobial therapy; it shall be the duty of every physician to
administer appropriate antimicrobial therapy at once (consistent with the current American
Academy of Pediatrics’ Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases (i.e.: The Red Book).
It shall be the duty of every midwife attending such cases, or suspected cases, to refer all such
cases to a licensed physician for treatment.
C. It shall be the duty of every physician to report, as soon as diagnosed, every case of sexually
transmitted disease using either of (1) the reporting methods under Section III (D) of these Rules;
or (2) Adult Case Report form, found at https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-
services/topics/std-prevention, as provided by the Department, to the Sexually Transmitted Disease
Program, Arkansas Department of Health. Physicians shall report the patient by name, address, age,
sex, race and date of birth within twenty-four (24) hours of the diagnosis in case of primary,
secondary and congenital Syphilis and Syphilis in pregnant women.
D. Whenever the Secretary has reasonable grounds to believe that any person is suffering from
Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chancroid, Chlamydia, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus),
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Lymphogranuloma Venereum or Granuloma Inguinale in a communicable state, the Secretary is
authorized to cause such person to be apprehended and detained for the necessary tests and
examination, including an approved blood serologic test and other approved laboratory tests, to
ascertain the existence of said disease or diseases: provided, that any evidence so acquired shall not
be used against such person in any criminal prosecution.
E. The Secretary may, when in the exercise of his discretion he believes that the public health requires
it, commit any commercial prostitute, or other persons apprehended and examined and found
afflicted with said diseases, or either of them who refuses or fails to take treatment adequate for the
protection of the public health, to a hospital or other place in the State of Arkansas for such treatment
even over the objection of the person so diseased and treated provided the commitment can be done
without endangering the life of the patient.
F. It shall be the duty of a physician on the occasion of the first visit to or by a person suffering from
Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chancroid, Chlamydia, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus),
Lymphogranuloma Venereum or Granuloma Inguinale to instruct said person in the precautions to
be taken to prevent communication of the disease to others, and to inform him of the necessity of
continued uninterrupted treatment until such adequate treatment has been administered.
G. It shall be the duty of every physician to administer appropriate and adequate treatment to any
individual regardless of age, sex, or race whom he has reasonable grounds to believe is suffering
from Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chancroid, Chlamydia, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus),
Lymphogranuloma Venereum or Granuloma Inguinale in a communicable state, to render the
disease non-communicable to others for the protection of the public health. Likewise, it shall be the
duty of every physician to treat, prophylactically or therapeutically, any individual regardless of
age, sex or race whom he has reasonable grounds to believe has been exposed to a communicable
case of Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chancroid, Chlamydia, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus),
Lymphogranuloma Venereum or Granuloma Inguinale for the protection of the public health.
Consent to the provision of medical and surgical care or services by a physician licensed to practice
medicine in this State, when executed by a minor who is or believes himself to be afflicted with a
sexually transmitted disease, shall be valid and binding as if the minor had achieved his majority.
SECTION XXII. RABIES CONTROL.
Refer to the Rules Pertaining to Rabies Control, Arkansas State Board of Health, as last amended, and
the Rabies Control Act, Ark. Code Ann. §20-19-301, et. seq as last amended.
SEVERABILITY
If any provision of these Rules, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid,
such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of these Rules which can give effect
without the invalid provisions or applications, and to this end the provisions hereto are declared to be
severable.
REPEAL
All Rules and any parts of Rules in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
