With the exception of circumstances encompassed by Title 20, when any contagious or infectious disease shall become or threaten to become epidemic, and the local authorities shall neglect or refuse to enforce efficient measures for its prevention, the Secretary or the Secretary's designee may appoint a medical officer and such assistants as the Department or Division may require and authorize such medical officer to enforce such orders or regulations as the Secretary deems necessary. Provisions of Title 20 which conflict with provisions of this section shall take precedence over this section.