[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 236 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65537-65538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29445]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-10-0008]


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 [email protected]. Send written comments to CDC Desk Officer, Office of 
Management and Budget, Washington, DC or by fax to (202) 395-5806. 
Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Emergency Epidemic Investigations (0920-0008)--Extension--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 human-made or natural biological 
disasters and chemical emergencies. CDC meets this objective, 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 Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) to 
investigate and resolve the problem. Resolving public health problems 
rapidly ensures cost-effective health care and enhances health 
promotion and disease prevention.
    The purpose of the Emergency Epidemic Investigations data 
collection project 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 data collection project is the principal source 
of data on outbreaks of infectious and noninfectious diseases, 
injuries, nutrition, environmental health, and occupational problems.
    Each investigation contributes to the general knowledge about a 
particular type of problem or emergency, so that data collections are 
designed taking into account knowledge gained during similar situations 
in the past. Some questionnaires have been standardized, such as 
investigations of outbreaks aboard aircraft or cruise vessels.
    The Emergency Epidemic Investigations data collection project 
provides a range of data on the characteristics of outbreaks and those 
affected by outbreaks. Data collected include demographic 
characteristics of the affected population, exposure to the causative 
agent(s), transmission patterns, and severity of the outbreak. These 
data, together with trend data, may be used to monitor the effects of 
change in the health care system, plan health services, improve the 
availability of medical services, and assess the health status of the 
population.
    Users of the Emergency Epidemic Investigations data include, but 
are not limited to, Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers of the 
CDC, who investigate the patterns of disease or injury, the level of 
risky behaviors, causative agents, the transmission of the condition, 
and the impact of interventions. EIS is a two-year program of training 
and service in applied epidemiology through CDC, primarily for persons 
holding doctoral degrees.
    There is no cost to the respondents other than their time for 
participation. Predicting the number of epidemic investigations that 
might occur in any given year is difficult. The previous three years' 
experience shows an annualized burden of 3,750 hours and respondent 
total of 15,000. Therefore, for this clearance, the annualized burden 
hours are estimated to be 3,750.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                                      Average
                                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per
          Type of respondents                   Form name           respondents    responses per   response (in
                                                                                    respondent        hours)
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General public........................  Emergency Epidemic                15,000               1           15/60
                                         Investigations.
State and local officials.............  Emergency Epidemic                   100               1           15/60
                                         Investigations.
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[[Page 65538]]

    Dated: December 3, 2009.
Maryam I. Daneshvar,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E9-29445 Filed 12-9-09; 8:45 am]
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