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Public Health Response
As cases of hepatitis A have continued to rise, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) activated the Community Health Emergency Coordination Center (CHECC) on October 31, 2017 to coordinate the response of the jurisdictions involved in the outbreak. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) was active from November 2017 through January 2018 to help coordinate the multiple state agency responses to the hepatitis A outbreak.
- WWJ Newsradio 950 - CBS Detroit - 12/31/17 Hepatitis A Outbreak Response Interview with Jay Fiedler, MDHHS Surveillance and Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Section Manager (MP3)
- Webinar Recording - MDHHS Michigan Hepatitis A Update for Clinicians (5/7/18)
Transmission Mitigation and Surveillance Strategies
MDHHS and local public health have participated in multiple meetings to discuss outbreak activities related to case-finding, contact tracing, post-exposure prophylaxis (i.e., immunoglobulin and hepatitis A vaccine), notification to high risk facilities, and mass vaccination strategies. Prompt identification and interview of new cases help to determine exposure to hepatitis A and close contacts allowing for timely administration of post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent further transmission. The MDHHS Communicable Disease Division has developed a supplemental questionnaire that is being used by public health investigators to identify high risk groups and to better direct public health interventions. Because of the high number of cases being reported, the MDHHS OutbreakNet Enhanced student interviewing team has assisted some counties with interviewing case-patients. Clinical specimens are also being requested from clinical laboratories to be submitted to the State Laboratory for further testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The testing identifies which cases are part of the outbreak allowing public health to track any changes of outbreak-associated risk factors.
- Comprehensive summary (updated 2/5/20)
Community Vaccination Clinics
MDHHS and local public health have conducted timely interviews to identify close contacts necessary to administer post-exposure prophylaxis and mitigate further transmission. Despite this significant collective effort, the outbreak persists. To end this outbreak, vaccination rates need to be increased among the highest risk individuals. Working with community partners, vaccination efforts are being implemented in targeted locations such as homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and rehabilitation facilities. Partnerships are also being developed with area Emergency Departments, county jails and state prisons.
Local Health Departments are working with correctional facilities for Hepatitis A screening and vaccinations.
Community Partners
- Michigan Community Visiting Nurse Association
- MI Volunteer Registry
- Salvation Army Rehabilitation
- Street Medicine Detroit
- Neighborhood Service Organization - Tumaini Clinic
- Detroit Recovery Project
- Capuchin Soup Kitchen
- Mariners Inn
- Samaritas House
- St. John Community Center
- Detroit Rescue Mission
- Naomi's Nest
- Elmhurst Home
- Self-Help Addiction Rehabilitation (SHAR)
- Community Health Awareness Group (CHAG)
- Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Centers
- Community Programs, Inc.
- Turning Point
- Meridian
- Correct Care Solutions
Press Releases
- Continued increase in hepatitis A cases in southeast Michigan (3/24/17)
- Health officials continue to investigate ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in Southeast Michigan (7/7/2017)
- MDHHS issues Annual Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Report, urges vigilance in light of hepatitis A outbreak in Southeast Michigan and growing opioid crisis (8/2/2017)
- Public health officials continue hepatitis A investigation, vaccination efforts (9/21/2017)
- Hepatitis A cases increase among men who have sex with men, associated with Southeast Michigan outbreak (10/26/17)
- MDHHS activates Community Health Emergency Coordination Center in response to hepatitis A outbreak (10/31/17)
- Lt. Gov. Calley activates State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response to hepatitis A outbreak (11/1/17)
- MDHHS offering mobile vaccination clinics at venues popular with high risk populations to combat hepatitis A outbreak (2/1/18)
- MDHHS awards $500,000 to 25 county health departments to help stop hepatitis A outbreak: All local health departments have now received funding to combat disease (3/26/18)
- Hepatitis A helpline provides 24/7 expert counsel for healthcare professionals to fight ongoing outbreak (4/12/18)
- Governor Snyder proclaims May as Hepatitis Awareness Month: May 19 is Hepatitis Testing Day (5/18/18)
- Take steps to prevent hepatitis as part of World Hepatitis Day (7/27/18)
Michigan Health Alert Network (MIHAN) Messages
- Increased hepatitis A Activity in Some Southeast Michigan Counties (10/28/16)
- Continued Increase in hepatitis A cases in Southeast Michigan counties (3/24/17)
- Ongoing hepatitis A Outbreak in SE MI (7/18/17)
- Increase in Hepatitis A cases among men who have sex with men -- Southeast Michigan, October 2017 (10/19/17)
- MDHHS Recommends LHDs Statewide to Conduct Outreach & Vaccinate High Risk Groups for Hep A (2/6/18)
- MDHHS Wants LHDs Hospitals and Healthcare Providers to Stay Vigilant Against Hep A in Michigan (4/6/18)
- MDHHS Hepatitis A Outbreak Vaccination Recommendations Remain Consistent (4/24/18)
- MDHHS Hepatitis A Media Campaign Notice for Healthcare Providers (6/4/18)
- CDC HAN 412: Outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Infections among Persons Who Use Drugs and Persons Experiencing Homelessness (6/11/18)