What to know
CDC is available to provide consultation and assistance to health departments investigating health care-associated viral hepatitis outbreaks via email at viralhepatitisoutbreak@cdc.gov.
Overview
CDC is here to help by sharing lessons learned from many states' experiences. CDC can also share the best practices that states developed while addressing infection control breaches in specific settings. Guidance topics include:
- Infection control observations.
- Patient notification.
- Screening for specific populations.
- Laboratory testing, including molecular genetic investigation.
Reach out to CDC
For consultation and assistance on health care-associated viral hepatitis outbreaks, email viralhepatitisoutbreak@cdc.gov.
Guidance
Given CDC’s experience with such outbreaks, CDC has compiled the following toolkit of resources for health departments:
Health care investigation guide
Steps for investigating single cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Testing and notification guide
Suggested tests for bloodborne pathogens and help in notifying people who might have been exposed.
HCV molecular epidemiology
Support for investigating transmission links between patients.
Questionnaire and exposure window calculator
A data gathering tool for cases of recent/new HBV or HCV infections without known risk factors.
Additional tools and considerations
Here are some resources and guidance for responding to health care-associated outbreaks of viral hepatitis:
- Health Care Investigation Checklist: General infection prevention and control assessment tool.
- Health Care Investigation Letter Example: Follow-up letter to send to health care facilities and/or providers identified during an investigation.
- Reported Health Care-Associated Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Outbreaks: Table summarizing health care-associated outbreaks of HBV and HCV infection reported to CDC since 2008.
- Drug Diversion Toolkit: Toolkit for state and local health departments to help develop prevention and response strategies, developed by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.
- Outbreaks and Infection Control Breaches in Health Care Settings: Considerations for Patient Notification: Commentary published in the American Journal of Infection Control suggests a broader approach in responding to health care-associated outbreaks. The framework encompasses risk of transmission of all pathogens, including viral hepatitis, and the role public health and other stakeholders play when making decisions about patient notification.
Content Source:
Division of Viral Hepatitis