May: Hepatitis Awareness Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month.. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are three types of viral hepatitis. While each can produce similar symptoms, each hepatitis virus affects the liver differently, has different routes of transmission, and has different populations that are commonly affected.
MMWR: Increase in Hepatitis A Virus Infections — United States, 2013–2018
This report outlines the ACIP recommendation that all persons reports of hepatitis A infections in the United States increased by 294%. compared with 2013–2015, related to outbreaks associated with contaminated food items, among men who have sex with men, and primarily, among persons who report drug use or homelessness. Increasing vaccination among groups at risk for hepatitis A infection might halt ongoing outbreaks and prevent future outbreaks.
Hepatitis A Outbreak Resources
CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH) has been assisting multiple state and local health departments with hepatitis A outbreaks, spread through person-to-person contact.
- Professional resources
- HAV specimen submission requirements
- Educational resources including posters, fact sheets, pocket cards