3364-30-54. Mandatory tuberculosis screening of students from world health organization-designated high tuberculosis prevalence countries

(A) Policy statement

Commencing with fall semester 2017 all incoming students with country of birth, country of citizenship, or application address indicating time spent in a country of high tuberculosis incidence per the world health organization will be subject to mandatory onsite screening for active tuberculosis. ("high incidence" areas are defined as having reported or estimated incidence of twenty or more cases per one hundred thousand population.) Students who do not comply with this screening requirement will have holds placed on subsequent registration.

Incoming students with suspicion of active tuberculosis, with a positive symptom screen and/or abnormal x-ray suspicious or active tuberculosis, will be referred for immediate university of Toledo specialist consultation for further evaluation. Students with active tuberculosis should expect to be isolated and treated.

(B) Purpose of policy

Tuberculosis is a common and often deadly disease, which in humans is caused primarily by the microorganism, mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is spread through the air, when people who have the disease cough, sneeze, or spit. If left untreated, tuberculosis kills more than half of its victims. Identification and treatment of active tuberculosis is important for protecting the health of individuals as well as the public.

(C) Scope

This policy applies to all students at the university of Toledo arriving from countries with high incidence of tuberculosis.

(D) Procedure

(1) The university will communicate this mandatory tuberculosis screening policy to all future and incoming international applicants and students born in or arriving from the world health organization list of high tuberculosis prevalence countries. The communications will be coordinated among the various offices responsible for the policy, including the offices of undergraduate admissions, graduate admissions, international student services, the student health clinics, the provosts' offices, and student affairs on both campuses, as well as the university's website and other communication vehicles.

(2) Effective for fall semester 2017 registration, tuberculosis registration holds will be placed on all admitted incoming students for whom the policy applies until mandatory onsite tuberculosis screening questionnaire and any necessary follow-up has been completed.

(3) Screening questionnaires will be given to students via application packets to be completed prior to the student's arrival on campus.

(4) Screening procedure

(a) If the symptom screen is negative, screening is complete; the student then is permitted to register and attend classes.

(b) Students who have a positive symptom screen will be referred to student health services on either campus for further evaluation by a provider, which may include chest x-ray. The student should call for an appointment. If that evaluation is negative for active tuberculosis the registration hold will be removed.

(c) Incoming or current students with active tuberculosis, will be subject to mandatory tuberculosis isolation. Students with active tuberculosis should expect to be isolated, and treated for at least two weeks, during which time most patients are expected to respond favorably. In rare cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis, the treatment period and isolation will be extended. Cases of active tuberculosis must be referred to the Lucas county health department, who will oversee contact identification and testing and any additional treatment. Depending on the required time for treatment and isolation, it might be necessary for a student to take a medical drop or be placed on a medical leave of absence, though alternative means for completing course requirements, including distance learning, will be considered whenever possible.

Effective: 3/3/2018
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3364
Rule Amplifies: 3364