CDC Viral Hepatitis Updates: MMWR – Increases in Acute Hepatitis B Virus Infections in Three States

CDC Viral Hepatitis Updates

MMWR – Increases in Acute Hepatitis B Virus Infections in Three States—Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia, 2006–2013

This analysis found that from 2006–2013, incidence of acute HBV infection increased 114 percent in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Most of this increase occurred after 2009 among whites, 30–39 year olds, and injection drug users. The increase in injection drug users and the typically low hepatitis B vaccination coverage among young adults are likely contributing to the increase in HBV infection incidence in these three states. Adults aged approximately 30 years or older in 2013 would be too old to have benefited from the routine hepatitis B vaccination recommendations issued in 1991 and 1999 and would be susceptible to HBV infection. While all three states have implemented various prevention strategies, the authors note that evidence-based prevention strategies, including increasing hepatitis B vaccination coverage, testing and linkage to care activities, and education campaigns targeting persons who inject drugs are urgently needed.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6503a2.htm

Health Alert Network (HAN) –CDC Urging Dialysis Providers and Facilities to Assess and Improve Infection Control Practices to Stop Hepatitis C Virus Transmission

CDC has received an increased number of reports of newly acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Infection control lapses in dialysis care could expose patients to HCV. Any case of new HCV infection in a patient undergoing hemodialysis should prompt immediate action. CDC is urging dialysis providers and facilities to:

1. Assess current infection control practices and environmental cleaning and disinfection practices within the facility to ensure adherence to infection control standards; 
2. Address any gaps identified by the assessments; 
3. Screen patients for HCV, following CDC guidelines, to detect infections, determine treatment potential, and halt secondary transmission; and 
4. Promptly report all acute HCV infections to the state or local health department.

http://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00386.asp

CDC Expert Commentary on Medscape:  Acute Hepatitis C in Young Persons Who Use Drugs

This video describes the emerging epidemic of hepatitis C virus infection among persons who inject drugs. To view the video, you will need a Medscape account or sign up with your name, email address and profession.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/856569

Viral Hepatitis Serology Training Videos

Videos explain the serological diagnosis of HAV, acute and chronic HBV, acute and chronic HCV, HBV/HDV coinfection, and HEV understand the meanings of serologic markers and interpret serologic test results.
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/resources/professionals/training/serology/training.htm