NOAA Policy 1008

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Policy 1008

3.2.

A copy of TB test results may be submitted in lieu of the NF 57-10-02 when a current negative TST,
IGRA, or T-SPOT report is already available.

3.3

Annual TB testing results are valid for one year and must remain current throughout any given project or
mission.

3.4

Personnel who have received medical treatment for TB or who have had a positive TST or positive
IGRA in the past will be required to have a medical exam by a licensed health care provider every year
and a chest x-ray every 5 years. Verifying documentation (all medical records including laboratory and
x-ray results and treatments) must be submitted to OMAO Health Services for medical clearance to be
granted.

4.

GUIDANCE

4.1.

Documentation and follow up requirements.
4.1.1.

Personnel who cannot or do not complete NF 57-10-02 will not be medically authorized to sail
aboard NOAA ships.

4.1.2.

Personnel who otherwise refuse a TST or IGRA will be required to have a chest x-ray
and a medical exam. Personnel must forward all associated medical documentation
from the medical provider to OMAO Health Services.

4.1.3.

Sections 2 and 3 of NF 57-10-02 must be completed by all those with a positive TST or
IGRA. All cases of failed or incomplete treatment will be referred back to the primary
care provider for additional evaluation.

5.

RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1

All personnel who are required to submit a NF 57-10-01 for embarkation for one
night or longer on any OMAO ship must submit the completed and signed Tuberculosis Screening
Document (NF 57-10-02) annually, undergo annual TB testing, and submit all required information and
documents to OMAO Health Services.

5.2.

OMAO Health Services reviews all submitted information/documents and test results and makes a
fitness to sail determination.

6.

DEFINITIONS
Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)

Vaccine for TB disease. BCG is used in many countries,
but it is not generally recommended in the United States.
BCG vaccination does not completely prevent people
from getting TB. It may also cause a false positive
tuberculin skin test.

TST

Tuberculosis skin test also known as the Mantoux
tuberculin skin test or purified protein derivative (PPD)
test. The TST is the standard method of determining
whether a person is infected with Mycobacterium
tuberculosis.

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Policy 1008

Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA)

7.

This is a blood test that can determine if a person has
been infected with TB bacteria. An IGRA measures how
strong a person’s immune system reacts to TB bacteria
by testing the person’s blood in a laboratory. Two IGRAs
are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and are available in the United States:
QuantiFERON®–TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT–GIT) and
the T–SPOT®.TB test (T–Spot).

REFERENCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/tb

8.

AUTHORITY
OMAO Policy 1001, Category 1000- Medical
Effects on other Documents:

Supersedes 2008 06 PMK - Decision: NOAA Tuberculosis Policy
Memo, issued on June 23, 2008 and previous versions of OMAO Policy
1008 – Tuberculosis Policy
DOCUMENT HISTORY

Version
2.0
1.0

Description of Change
Clarifies who completes NF 57-10-02 and when a negative TB test result can
be submitted in lieu of NF 57-10-02.
Initial Document.

Effective Date
3/11/2016
2/21/2014