Local health departments shall:

(1) Maintain a surveillance system for influenza during the appropriate season which may include:

(a) Monitoring of excess school absenteeism;

(b) Sample check with health care providers, clinics, nursing homes, and hospitals regarding influenza-like illnesses; and

(c) Monitoring of workplace absenteeism and other mechanisms.

(2) Encourage submission of appropriate clinical specimens from a sample of patients with influenza-like illness to the Washington state public health laboratories or other laboratory approved by the state health officer.