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Infection Control-Related Administrative Policies and Work Restrictions

Course Number: 473

OHCP Exposed to or Infected with Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and SARS-CoV-2

The measles, mumps, rubella viruses and the novel SARS-CoV-2 are spread primarily by droplets and droplet nuclei generated by an infected person during talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing; by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions; and less frequently by touching freshly contaminated articles and environmental surfaces.47-50 In oral healthcare settings, administrative policies and work restrictions are primarily predicated on the mode of transmission of these pathogens and the period of infectivity of exposed or infected OHCP (Table 6)1,2 and (Table 7).51,52

Table 6. Work Restrictions: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Infections.1,2

Infectious StateRestrictions
Measles
  • Susceptible OHCP
    • Post-exposure
  • Exclude from duty
    • From the 5th day after first exposure through
      the 21st day after last exposure
      OR
    • For 4 days after rash appears
  • OHCP with acute infection
  • Exclude from duty
    • For 7 days after rash appears
Mumps
  • Susceptible OHCP
    • Post-exposure
  • Exclude from duty
    • From the 12th day after first exposure through
      the 26th day after last exposure
      OR
    • For 9 days after onset of parotitis
  • OHCP with acute infection
  • Exclude from duty
    • For 7 days after onset of parotitis
Rubella
  • Susceptible OHCP
    • Post-exposure
  • Exclude from duty
    • From the 7th day after first exposure through
      the 21st day after last exposure
  • OHCP with acute infection
  • Exclude from duty
    • For 5 days after rash appears

Table 7. Work Restrictions: SARS-CoV-2.51,52