Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Alert Network (HAN) Update

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

Learn More »

CDC Urging Dialysis Providers and Facilities to Assess and Improve Infection Control Practices to Stop Hepatitis C Virus Transmission in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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. Latest News from Health Alert Network Health Alert Network (HAN) No. 386 - CDC Urging Dialysis Providers and Facilities to Assess and Improve Infection Control Practices to Stop Hepatitis C Virus Transmission in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis01/27/2016 10:30 AM Health Alert Network (HAN) No. 385 - Recognizing, Managing, and Reporting Zika Virus Infections in Travelers Returning from Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico1/15/2016 7:45 PM Health Alert Network (HAN) No. 384 - Increases in Fentanyl Drug Confiscations and Fentanyl-related Overdose Fatalities10/26/2015 8:15 AM Health Alert Network (HAN) No. 383 - CDC/FDA Health Update about the Immediate Need for Healthcare Facilities to Review Procedures for Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sterilizing Reusable Medical Devices10/02/2015 8:00 AM