Infectious Diseases

The Board of Education desires to protect students from risks posed by exposure to infectious diseases while providing an appropriate education for all students. The Board recognizes that prevention and education are the most effective means of limiting the spread of infectious diseases. The Superintendent or designee shall collaborate with local and state health officials to develop and regularly update a comprehensive plan for disease prevention that promotes preventative measures, mitigation, education, communication, and training of students and staff. All measures to limit the spread of infectious diseases shall be nondiscriminatory and ensure that equity is promoted. The Superintendent or designee shall regularly review resources available from health experts to ensure that district programs are based on the most up-to-date information. The district's comprehensive health education program shall provide age-appropriate information about the nature and symptoms of communicable diseases, their transmission, and how to help prevent the spread of contagious diseases. If the local health officer notifies the district of an outbreak of a communicable disease, or the imminent and proximate threat of a communicable disease outbreak or epidemic that threatens the public's health, the district shall take any action that the health officer deems necessary to control the spread of the disease. The district shall comply with all applicable state and federal privacy laws in regard to any such information received from the local health officer. (Health and Safety Code 120175.5) Students and staff shall observe universal precautions in order to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens and to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The Superintendent or designee shall inform students of the precautions to be used in cases of exposure to blood or other body fluids through injury, accident, or classroom instruction. Students with Infectious Diseases The Superintendent or designee shall exclude students only in accordance with law, Board policy, and administrative regulation. Because bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are not casually transmitted, the presence of infectious conditions of this type is not, by itself, sufficient reason to exclude students from attending school. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to inform the Superintendent or designee if their child has an infectious disease so that school staff may work cooperatively with the student's parents/guardians to minimize the child's exposure to other students and staff in the school setting. If necessary, the Superintendent or designee shall inform the local health official of any potential outbreak. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that student confidentiality rights are strictly observed in accordance with law.