[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66908-66909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26368]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-20-1011]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information 
collection request titled Emergency Epidemic Investigation Data 
Collections (OMB control number 0920-1011), for review and approval. 
CDC previously published a ``Proposed Data Collection Submitted for 
Public Comment and Recommendations'' notice on September 4, 2019 to 
obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC did not 
receive comments related to the previous notice. This notice serves to 
allow an additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.
    CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information 
collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including, through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses; and
    (e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Direct written comments 
and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the 
Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th 
Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide 
written comments within 30 days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

    Emergency Epidemic Investigation Data Collections (OMB Control No. 
0920-1011, Exp. 01/31/2020)--Extension--Center for Surveillance, 
Education, and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    CDC previously conducted Emergency Epidemic Investigations (EEIs) 
under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 0920-0008. 
In 2013, CDC received OMB approval (OMB Control Number 0920-1011) for a 
new OMB generic clearance for a three-year period to collect vital 
information during EEIs in response to urgent outbreaks or events 
(i.e., natural, biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological) 
characterized by undetermined agents, undetermined sources, 
undetermined transmission, or undetermined risk factors. This generic 
clearance was approved for a three-year extension, which expires on 1/
31/2020. CDC seeks OMB approval for an extension of this generic 
clearance for an additional three-year period.
    Supporting effective emergency epidemic investigations is one of 
the most important ways that CDC protects the health of the public. CDC 
is frequently called upon to conduct EEIs at the request of local, 
state, or international health authorities seeking support to respond 
to urgent outbreaks or urgent public health-related events. In response 
to external partner requests, CDC provides necessary epidemiologic 
support to identify the agents, sources, modes of transmission, or risk 
factors to effectively implement rapid prevention and control measures 
to protect the public's health. Data collection is a critical component 
of the epidemiologic support provided by CDC; data are

[[Page 66909]]

analyzed to determine the agents, sources, modes of transmission, or 
risk factors so that effective prevention and control measures can be 
implemented. During an unanticipated outbreak or event, immediate 
action by CDC is necessary to minimize or prevent public harm. The 
legal justification for EEIs are found in the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. Sec. 301 [241]) (a).
    Successful investigations are dependent on rapid and flexible data 
collection that evolves during the investigation and is customized to 
the unique circumstances of each outbreak or event. Data collection 
elements will be those necessary to identify the agents, sources, mode 
of transmission, or risk factors. Examples of potential data collection 
methods include telephone or face-to-face interview; email, web or 
other type of electronic questionnaire; paper-and-pencil questionnaire; 
focus groups; medical record review; laboratory record review; 
collection of clinical samples; and environmental assessment. 
Respondents will vary depending on the nature of the outbreak or event; 
examples of potential respondents include health care professionals, 
patients, laboratorians, and the general public. Participation in EEIs 
is voluntary and there are no anticipated costs to respondents other 
than their time. CDC will use the information gathered during EEIs to 
rapidly identify and effectively implement measures to minimize or 
prevent public harm.
    CDC projects 60 EEIs in response to outbreaks or events 
characterized by undetermined agents, undetermined sources, 
undetermined transmission, or undetermined risk factors annually. The 
projected average number of respondents is 200 per EEI, for a total of 
12,000 respondents. CDC estimates the average burden per response is 
0.5 hours and each respondent will be asked to respond once. Therefore, 
the total estimated annual burden hours are 6,000. These estimates are 
based on the reported burden for EEIs that have been performed during 
the previous two years. OMB approval is requested for three years.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Number of      Average burden
         Type of respondents                 Form name            Number of      responses per     per response
                                                                 respondents       respondent       (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emergency Epidemic Investigation      Emergency Epidemic               12,000                1            30/60
 Participants.                         Investigation Data
                                       Collection Instruments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2019-26368 Filed 12-5-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4163-18-P