

CDC and partners ensure rapid and coordinated surveillance, detection, and response to hepatitis outbreaks.

DVH laboratory branch participates in outbreak investigations related to hepatitis viruses by performing routine and state of the art serologic and molecular methodologies on clinical samples collected from affected patients. An epidemiologist from the division coordinates all outbreak investigation related activities including submitting a study request and sharing of laboratory results with the state health departments. CDC staff are always available for consultation including discussion of testing algorithms for specific notification settings.

Healthcare-associated Outbreaks

Upon consultation CDC can provide assistance to health departments during investigation, and share best practices based on many states’ previous experiences with issues such as: infection control breaches previously associated with transmissions in specific settings and observation recommendations, guidance for notification messages including specific populations to screen, and guidance on laboratory testing and molecular genetic investigation.

This manuscript suggests an approach to follow-up of infection control breaches that focuses on the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission.

Healthcare-Associated Hepatitis B and C Outbreaks Reported to CDC

Hepatitis C Outbreaks in People who Inject Drugs

The highest reported incidence of acute hepatitis C in the United States is now among persons aged 20–29 years. In recent years, there has been an emerging HCV epidemic among young PWIDs, particularly in rural and suburban settings. Further reading.

The opioid misuse epidemic has substantially increased the transmission risk of blood-borne viruses, including hepatitis C virus and HIV, through injection drug use. The following documents provide guidance on how to prepare for, detect, investigate and respond to an hepatitis C or HIV outbreak among people who inject drugs.