2022-19559. 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 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 [phone]. 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 [phone]. 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

Type of respondents	Form name	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hours)
Emergency Epidemic Investigation Participants	Emergency Epidemic Investigation Data Collection Instruments	12,000	1	30/60

Jeffrey M. Zirger,

Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.