At a glance
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C outbreaks can occur in the community through person-to-person transmission and in health care settings. Hepatitis A outbreaks can occur from different sources and spread through either foodborne or person-to-person transmission. Learn more about resources available for investigation, summaries of outbreaks that have been investigated, and support available from CDC.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- Health care-associated outbreak investigation toolkit
- The resources in this toolkit are designed to help CDC and partners ensure rapid and coordinated surveillance, detection, and response to hepatitis outbreaks.
- The resources in this toolkit are designed to help CDC and partners ensure rapid and coordinated surveillance, detection, and response to hepatitis outbreaks.
- Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Health Care-Related Outbreaks
- CDC received reports of 66 outbreaks of viral hepatitis related to health care from 2008-2019.
- CDC received reports of 66 outbreaks of viral hepatitis related to health care from 2008-2019.
- Reporting Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infections in Repeat Blood Donors
- This page provides information on reporting incident infections in repeat blood donors.
- This page provides information on reporting incident infections in repeat blood donors.
- Viral Hepatitis Among People Who Use or Inject Drugs (PWID)
- Among risk behaviors and exposures identified for reported cases of acute HCV infection in 2022, injection drug use was most commonly reported.
- Among risk behaviors and exposures identified for reported cases of acute HCV infection in 2022, injection drug use was most commonly reported.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A transmission can occur through close personal contact with a person who is infected with the virus. Most recently, this has occurred among people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and men who have sex with men.
Person-to-person transmission
- Hepatitis A Outbreaks Linked to Person-to-Person Contact
- CDC has received reports of more than 44,900 cases of hepatitis A linked to outbreaks in 37 states during 2016-2023.
- CDC has received reports of more than 44,900 cases of hepatitis A linked to outbreaks in 37 states during 2016-2023.
Foodborne transmission
- Hepatitis A Outbreak in 2023 Linked to Frozen Organic Strawberries
- CDC received reports of 10 cases of hepatitis A linked to this multistate outbreak.
- CDC received reports of 10 cases of hepatitis A linked to this multistate outbreak.
- Hepatitis A Outbreak in 2022 Linked to Fresh Organic Strawberries
- CDC received reports of 19 cases of hepatitis A linked to this multistate outbreak.
- CDC received reports of 19 cases of hepatitis A linked to this multistate outbreak.
- Hepatitis A Outbreak in 2019 Potentially Linked to Fresh Blackberries
- CDC received reports of 20 cases of hepatitis A linked to this 2019 multistate outbreak.
- CDC received reports of 20 cases of hepatitis A linked to this 2019 multistate outbreak.
- Hepatitis A Outbreak in 2016 Linked to Frozen Strawberries
- CDC received reports of 143 cases of hepatitis A linked to this 2016 multistate outbreak.
- CDC received reports of 143 cases of hepatitis A linked to this 2016 multistate outbreak.
- Hepatitis A Outbreak in Hawaii in 2016 Linked to Raw Scallops
- In 2016, the Hawaii Department of Health identified raw scallops as the source of a hepatitis A outbreak in the state.
- In 2016, the Hawaii Department of Health identified raw scallops as the source of a hepatitis A outbreak in the state.
- Hepatitis A Outbreak in 2013 Linked to Pomegranate Seeds
- CDC received reports of 165 cases of hepatitis A linked to this 2013 multistate outbreak.
- CDC received reports of 165 cases of hepatitis A linked to this 2013 multistate outbreak.
Support from CDC
CDC is always available for support and consultation.
Laboratory support
DVH laboratory branch performs routine serologic and state-of-the-art molecular methodologies on clinical samples collected from those affected.
Investigation support
A DVH epidemiologist coordinates all outbreak investigation-related activities.