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Take steps to prevent hepatitis as part of World Hepatitis Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2018

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. – July 28 marks World Hepatitis Day and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding residents about actions they can take to help prevent contracting viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. According to World Health Organization, viral hepatitis caused 1.34 million deaths in 2015, a number comparable to deaths caused by tuberculosis and HIV combined.

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is found in the feces (poop) of people with hepatitis A. HAV can spread through contaminated food or water and through close contact with a person who has the virus. Hepatitis A outbreaks are increasing nationally. State and local agencies are continuing to respond to respond to an outbreak in Michigan. As of July 25, 865 cases have been reported in the state, with 27 deaths.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease and MDHHS encourages HAV vaccination for at-risk individuals including those with a history of injection and non-injection drug use, homelessness or transient housing, incarceration and men who have sex with men. In addition, routine Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations would continue to apply for those at risk of hepatitis A infection. The hepatitis A vaccine is safe and effective and is available at local pharmacies, through healthcare providers and at local health departments.

Practicing good hand washing practices; not sharing personal items such as towels, toothbrushes and eating utensils; and avoiding sex with infected partners are also ways to prevent getting infected.

“Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against the hepatitis A virus,” said Dr. Eden Wells, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Washing your hands well with soap and warm water can help stop the spread of this disease.”

Hepatitis B (HBV) is transmitted from person to person through contaminated blood or body fluids. HBV can spread from infected mothers to their infants at birth, through unprotected sex or through contact with blood or body fluids of a person who has the virus. Getting the HBV vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood-borne pathogen; however, unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine available for HCV. HCV is transmitted from person to person through the contaminated blood of an individual who is infected. The primary risk factor for HCV transmission is sharing needles, syringes or drug preparation equipment. 

People can live with hepatitis B and C for decades without experiencing any symptoms or feeling sick. The only way to know if you are infected is with a blood test. Early detection, linkage to care and treatment can help slow disease progression. HCV treatments cure more than 90 percent of persons living with HCV.

For more information about hepatitis, visit Michigan.gov/hepatitis or Cdc.gov/hepatitis. For more information on the hepatitis A outbreak in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/hepAoutbreak.

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