CDC Viral Hepatitis Updates

A National Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis B and C

The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) published a consensus report, A National Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis B and C. CDC is a co-sponsor of the report. The National Academies’ committee recommendations include and support many of CDC’s priorities for viral hepatitis prevention:

Decrease deaths by improving testing and access to treatment for people living with hepatitis B and hepatitis C
Reduce spread of hepatitis B and hepatitis C associated with drug use and other common routes
Prevent perinatal transmission (from mother to child) of hepatitis B and hepatitis C
Accelerate progress through prevention research, technical assistance, and partner engagement

CDC is a) developing new vaccination recommendations, b) undertaking efforts to strengthen core surveillance in key states with high hepatitis B and hepatitis C incidence, c) assisting syringe services programs, and, d) partnering with state/local health departments to expand testing in settings serving populations experiencing viral hepatitis-related health disparities.
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=49749

Information for Healthcare Personnel Potentially Exposed to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): Recommended Testing and Follow-up

Exposure to viral hepatitis has long been recognized as an occupational risk for healthcare personnel, with recommendations previously established for the management of occupational exposures to hepatitis C virus (HCV). This notice, which is based on current laboratory guidance, updates the 2001 HCV testing algorithm for healthcare personnel.
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/pdfs/testing-followup-exposed-hc-personnel.pdf

New Know Hepatitis B Factsheets in African Languages

Two factsheets, Hepatitis B: Are You At Risk? and When Someone in the Family has Hepatitis B, are now available in Amharic, Arabic, and French.
https://www.cdc.gov/knowhepatitisb/materials.htm#tabs-1252355-11