[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 223 (Monday, November 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69484-69485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28083]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-13-0008]


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 
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Send written comments 
to CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 
20503 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)--Revision--Scientific 
Education and Professional Development Program Office (SEPDPO), Office 
of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (OSELS), 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 Investigation data collection

[[Page 69485]]

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.
    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. After completion of the Epi-Aid investigation, using the Epi-
Aid Satisfaction Survey for Requesting Officials, data are collected 
from 100 state and local health officials for an annualized total of 25 
burden hours. For this clearance, CDC is requesting 3,775 total burden 
hours.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                                      Average
                                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per
              Respondents                       Form name           respondents    responses per   response  (in
                                                                                    respondent        hours)
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Requestors of Epi-Aids................  Epi-Aid Satisfaction                 100               1           15/60
                                         Survey for Requesting
                                         Official.
General Public........................  Emergency Epidemic                15,000               1           15/60
                                         Investigations.
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    Dated: November 13, 2012.
Ron A. Otten,
Director, Office of Scientific Integrity (OSI), Office of the Associate 
Director for Science (OADS), Office of the Director, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2012-28083 Filed 11-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P