[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 175 (Monday, September 12, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55810-55812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19559]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-22-1011]


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 Investigations'' to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC 
previously published a ``Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations'' notice on April 18, 2022 to obtain 
comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC did not receive 
comments related to the previous notice. This notice serves to

[[Page 55811]]

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. Comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. 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 (OMB Control No. 0920-1011, Exp. 
1/31/2023)--Extension--Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology 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 No. 0920-0008. In 
2013, CDC received OMB approval (OMB Control No. 0920-1011) for a new 
OMB generic clearance to collect vital information during EEIs in 
response to outbreaks or other urgent public health events (i.e., 
natural, biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological) characterized by 
undetermined agents, undetermined sources, undetermined transmission, 
or undetermined risk factors. This Generic clearance was most recently 
approved for a three-year Extension, which expires on 1/31/2023. CDC 
seeks OMB approval for an Extension of this Generic clearance for an 
additional three-year period.
    Supporting effective EEIs 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 outbreaks or urgent public 
health 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 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 urgent public health 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 urgent public health 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 and abstraction; laboratory record 
review and abstraction; collection of clinical samples; and 
environmental assessment. Respondents will vary depending on the nature 
of the outbreak or urgent public health 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 urgent public 
health 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 per respondent, and each respondent will be asked 
to respond once. CDC requests OMB approval for a total of 6,000 
estimated annual burden hours. OMB approval is requested for three 
years, and there is no cost to respondents other than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                     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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 55812]]

Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2022-19559 Filed 9-9-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P