§ 27.161. Special requirements for tuberculosis.
(a) Isolation. A person suspected of having tuberculosis in its communicable stage shall be isolated in the following manner:
(1) Isolation for tuberculosis shall be established at the usual residence of the person suffering from tuberculosis whenever facilities for adequate isolation of the infectious person are available at the residence, if the person will accept the isolation. Isolation of a person treated at a residence shall include instruction in the need to cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and careful handling and disposal of sputum.
(2) If isolation for tuberculosis cannot be accomplished or maintained at the usual residence of the person and whenever, in the opinion of the Department or local health authority, the person is a health threat to others, by reason of the person’s habits, neglect of treatment or noncompliance with the measures designed to protect others from infection, the isolation shall be enforced by following the procedures in § 27.87 (relating to refusal to submit to treatment for communicable diseases).
(i) Isolation of a person treated in an appropriate institution shall be in accordance with CDC Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Health-Care Facilities and any updates thereto as approved by the Board.
(ii) The Department will publish notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin of updates of this publication within 30 days after Board approval is obtained.
(b) Handling of contacts. A human household contact or other close human contact shall be required to have a Mantoux tuberculin test or chest X-ray, or both. A close human contact means a person who spends a substantial amount of time with a person who has infectious tuberculosis. If the person refuses, enforcement shall be accomplished as designated in § § 27.82 and 27.83 (relating to request to submit to examination; and court ordered examinations). If evidence of tuberculosis in contacts is found on chest X-rays or by symptoms, laboratory studies shall be conducted to determine if the contacts represent a public health threat.
Source The provisions of this § 27.161 adopted January 25, 2002, effective January 26, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 491.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 27.87 (relating to refusal to submit to treatment for communicable diseases).
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