Hepatitis Awareness Month --- May 2011

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Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

Hepatitis Awareness Month --- May 2011

Weekly

May 6, 2011 / 60(17);537

This month marks the 16th anniversary of Hepatitis Awareness Month in the United

States. Viral hepatitis, particularly infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or

hepatitis C virus (HCV), is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This issue

of MMWR includes a report that focuses on a recent trend in HCV infection.

The report shows an increase in cases of HCV infection during 2002--2009 among

adolescents and young adults aged 15--24 years in Massachusetts and highlights

the fundamental role of surveillance in identifying emerging patterns of

transmission and developing appropriate public health response. The

Massachusetts cases were reported from all areas of the state, primarily among

non-Hispanic whites. Injection drug use (IDU) was the most common risk factor

for HCV transmission, and the increase in case reports suggests an epidemic of

HCV infection related to IDU in this age group in Massachusetts.

In 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies of Sciences

issued a report on viral hepatitis outlining recommendations for the prevention

and control of HBV and HCV infection, including improvement in public health

surveillance for viral hepatitis and viral hepatitis screening linked with

prevention and care (1). In response to the IOM report, the U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services is developing a comprehensive viral hepatitis action

plan that will set forth strategies to improve viral hepatitis prevention, care,

and treatment in the United States. Additional information regarding viral

hepatitis is available from CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis.

Reference

1. Institute of Medicine. Hepatitis and liver cancer: a national strategy for

prevention and control of hepatitis B and C. Washington, DC: National Academies

Press; 2010. Available at

http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12793 & page=1. Accessed April 28, 2011.

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