846

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 21

(A)  DANGEROUS DISEASES.

(1)  WHEN A HEALTH OFFICER HAS REASON TO BELIEVE
THAT A DISEASE THAT ENDANGERS PUBLIC HEALTH EXISTS WITHIN
THE COUNTY, THE HEALTH OFFICER SHALL:

(I)  REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE APPROPRIATE
COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH; AND

(II)  WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD:

1.  INVESTIGATE THE SUSPECTED
DISEASE; AND

2.  ACT PROPERLY TO PREVENT THE
SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.

(2) (I) EXCEPT IN BALTIMORE CITY, THE ATTENDING
PHYSICIAN OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS THE DISEASE MAY ACT
PROPERLY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE AND DOES NOT
NEED THE APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH TO ACT.

(II) A PHYSICIAN MAY ACT UNDER THIS
PARAGRAPH ONLY UNTIL THE HEALTH OFFICER COMPLETES THE
INVESTIGATION UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION, IF
SOONER, UNTIL THE EMERGENCY ENDS.

(3)  A COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH SHALL PAY THE
NECESSARY AND LEGITIMATE EXPENSES THAT A HEALTH OFFICER
INCURS UNDER THIS SUBSECTION.

(B)  INFECTIOUS AND CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.

WHEN A HEALTH OFFICER IS NOTIFIED OF AN INFECTIOUS OR
CONTAGIOUS DISEASE WITHIN THE COUNTY, THE HEALTH OFFICER:

(1)  SHALL ACT IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD
OF THE DISEASE;

(2)  WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE OF
THE DISEASE, SHALL GIVE THE SECRETARY ALL INFORMATION
OBTAINED ON THE DISEASE; AND

(3)  SHALL COOPERATE WITH THE SECRETARY TO
PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.

(C)  OTHER DISEASES.

(1)  WHEN A HEALTH OFFICER KNOWS OF ANY UNUSUAL
DISEASE OR MORTALITY IN THE COUNTY OR A CONTIGUOUS COUNTY,
THE HEALTH OFFICER PROMPTLY SHALL GIVE THE SECRETARY NOTICE
OF THE DISEASE OR MORTALITY.

(2)  IF A HEALTH OFFICER IS UNSURE WHETHER A
DISEASE IS INFECTIOUS OR CONTAGIOUS, THE HEALTH OFFICER