E7-8073. Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960 and send comments to Joan Karr, CDC Acting Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

Experimental and Theoretical Study of Early Detection and Isolation of Influenza—NEW—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, section 501, enables NIOSH to carry out research relevant to the health and safety of workers. Some diseases like influenza and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) can be spread when people produce clouds of droplets (called aerosols) by coughing or sneezing. Aerosol transmission of infectious diseases is of particular interest today because of increased concern over a possible global influenza pandemic. The possible airborne spread of influenza is especially important to health-care workers and emergency responders, who face a much greater risk of exposure than does the general public. However, substantial gaps exist in our understanding of the generation and spread of infectious aerosols containing influenza. This lack of information hampers the ability of health scientists to model and predict the transmission of influenza by airborne particles and to understand whether or not aerosols are likely to be an important route of transmission of influenza during a pandemic.

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the production and dissemination of aerosols containing the influenza virus. The results of this research will give scientists and health professional's greater insight into the airborne transmission of influenza and allow them to better assess the potential effectiveness of preventive measures.

The first part of this study will measure the quantity and size distribution of aerosol droplets produced by people with influenza when they cough. To accomplish this, volunteers with influenza-like illness will be asked to provide an oral swab for influenza testing, and then will cough into a spirometer. The aerosol produced by each person will be measured using commercially-available instrumentation. The oral swabs will be processed after the aerosol experiments are completed.

The second part of this study will determine the amount and size of airborne particles containing influenza virus that are present in a hospital emergency department during influenza season. Health care workers will be recruited to wear small aerosol collection devices as they go about their normal duties. The collected samples will then be analyzed for influenza virus. Adult patients in the emergency department with influenza-like illness will be asked to provide an oral swab to test for the flu virus in order to estimate the number of potential sources of viral-laden airborne particles. There will be no costs to study participants other than their time.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Respondents	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hours)	Total burden (in hours)
Part 1 participants	40	2	1	80
Part 2 health care workers	30	1	1	30
Part 2 patients	15	1	0.5	8.0
Total				118

Dated: April 23, 2007.

Joan F. Karr,

Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.