A local health jurisdiction shall:

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

(a) Monitoring of excess school absenteeism;

(b) Requesting information from health care providers and health care facilities regarding influenza-like illnesses; and

(c) Monitoring workplace absenteeism and other mechanisms.

(2) Request 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.