(a) For the protection of the public health and for the control of infectious or contagious diseases, the secretary of health and environment by rules and regulations shall designate such diseases as are infectious or contagious in their nature.

(b) The secretary of health and environment is authorized to issue such orders and adopt rules and regulations as may be medically necessary and reasonable to prevent the spread and dissemination of diseases injurious to the public health, including, but not limited to, providing for the testing for such diseases and the isolation and quarantine of persons afflicted with or exposed to such diseases.

(c) No later than January 1, 2014, the secretary shall develop and adopt rules and regulations providing for the protection of individuals who provide medical or nursing services, clinical or forensic laboratory services, emergency medical services and firefighting, law enforcement and correctional services, or who provide any other service, or individuals who receive any such services or are in any other employment where the individual may encounter occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.