NPS Seeks Easier Ways to Track Park Pandemics
Published Date: 3/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Park Service wants to update and renew its forms for tracking cases and outbreaks in parks. This affects park staff and anyone involved in health investigations, aiming to make data collection easier and faster. Comments are open until April 29, 2026, with no new costs expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
NPS can investigate park disease and wildlife incidents
The collection supports the NPS Office of Public Health to conduct epidemiological investigations for events such as: incidents with three or more visitors, employees, or volunteers having similar symptoms; single reports of rare or reportable diseases; incidents causing death, serious injury, or overnight hospitalization; and concerning wildlife encounters (bites, scratches, attacks) or unusual wildlife deaths. The information will be used to determine agents, sources, transmission modes, or risk factors so prevention and control measures can be put in place.
You may be asked to fill a 30‑minute form
The National Park Service is renewing Form 10-867 (OMB Control Number 1024-0289) for case and outbreak investigations. The agency expects about 500 respondents and 500 responses per year, with an average completion time of 30 minutes per response (total ~250 burden hours annually); responding is voluntary.
No expected out‑of‑pocket costs for respondents
The notice states there are no estimated annual non‑hour (monetary) burden costs for respondents. The collection is voluntary and the agency expects no new costs beyond respondents' time.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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