Viral Hepatitis Updates from the HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy

Dear Colleague,

Last month, CDC released Viral Hepatitis Surveillance – United States, 2017, with new data on hepatitis A, B, and C nationally, and within each state. While the report highlights important progress on reducing the number of deaths associated with hepatitis B and C, the data also points to the ongoing challenges we face in preventing new viral hepatitis infections and achieving viral hepatitis elimination.

The report shows that the nation experienced increases in new hepatitis A, B, and C infections in 2017. Between 2016 and 2017, the number of hepatitis A cases increased nearly 70%, due largely to outbreaks spread through person-to-person contact among people experiencing homelessness, people who use drugs, and men who have sex with men. Hepatitis B data reveal that the highest rate of new hepatitis B cases occurred among 40-49 year olds for the first time in 15 years, in part due to low vaccination rates among adults at risk. New hepatitis C infections have more than tripled since 2010 and continue to increase sharply among young adults, driven by injection drug use.

CDC’s surveillance summary offers important insight into where our nation stands with hepatitis elimination , underscoring the prevention efforts that require more attention and the vulnerability of certain communities that require extra support. Armed with this data, we are better equipped to focus our work to implement the strategies we know can make an impact, including vaccination, screening, treatment, and improving data and surveillance. This summary gives us an updated status of our progress so that we can plan strategically and collaboratively to achieve our goal of elimination of viral hepatitis in the United States.

Corinna Dan, RN, MPH
Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

What's New in the Blog

Just launched from HRSA HAB: Hepatitis C Prescriber Toolkit, Technical Assistance for Health Care Providers (9/27/2019) – This new resource provides one-stop, state-specific guidance for providers navigating health coverage requirements for their patients living with hepatitis C.
Stakeholders and the Public Weigh in on the Nation’s First STI Federal Action Plan (9/25/2019) – This blog summarizes the public comment process for input regarding the development of the STI Federal Action Plan and the comments’ predominant themes.
CDC Releases New Tool: HepCSim (9/20/2019) – The Hep C State Policy Simulator can help policy makers and practitioners make informed decisions regarding hepatitis C policy, strategy, and investments.
CDC Releases 2017 Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Summary (9/16/2019) – On September 10, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a surveillance summary reporting on cases of hepatitis A, B, and C

Hepatitis in the News

Hepatitis C numbers soar in Kanawha following syringe exchange closure (10/1/19) – Kanawha County, WV saw an increase in hepatitis C cases following the closure of a local syringe service program in early 2018. Prior to the closure, the area experienced the lowest number of hepatitis C cases since 2012.
Public toilets, sinks installed in Kensington to curb Hepatitis A outbreak (9/26/2019) – Philadelphia funded the installation of mobile, public restrooms and sinks along the city’s Kensington Avenue, which has seen a focal area during the outbreak. The new restrooms and sink represent an attempt to slow hepatitis A transmission in the area.
FDA approves treatment for adults and children with all genotypes of hepatitis C and compensated cirrhosis that shortens duration of treatment to eight weeks (9/26/2019) – FDA announces expansion of approval for hepatitis C treatment for children ages 12 years and older and adults. This approval applies to Mavyret tablets.