Maine Department of Health and Human Services

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC)
 (Formerly Bureau of Health)
11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011

Phone 1-800-821-5821 / Fax 207-287-7443

 

**UPDATE – Important Information**

 

2006PHUPD001

 

 

TO:                 Hospitals, Infection Control Practitioners, Public Health, State and Federal Agencies, ME Primary Care, Public Health Nurses   

 

FROM:           Dora Anne Mills, M.D., M.P.H., Public Health Director           

 

SUBJECT:     Hepatitis B Cluster, September  2006

 

DATE:            September 14, 2006                

 

TIME:            10:00 AM

 

PAGES:          2

 

PRIORITY:    Review

 

 

Confidentiality Notice:  This fax message is intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity identified above.  It may contain information, which is privileged and/or confidential under both state and federal law.  If you are not notified otherwise, any further dissemination, copying, or disclosure of the communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this   transmittal in error, please immediately notify us at 287-3252 and return the original transmission to us by mail at Key Bank Plaza, 6^th Floor-286 Water Street. Augusta, ME  04333, without making a copy.  Your cooperation in protecting confidential information is greatly appreciated.    

Hepatitis B Cluster, July 2006

 

 

Background:  The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has continued to receive reports of acute hepatitis B (HBV) from the Bangor area.  During the summer a total of five cases were reported.  Only 12 cases of acute hepatitis B are reported statewide during an average year.  The cases in the Bangor area are males, 55 to 77 years of age, with no apparent risk factors or links to each other.  An investigation for possible common exposures is ongoing.

 

Recommendations:  We are requesting health care providers report any acute cases of HBV occurring since January 1, 2006.  You can report cases to 1-800-821-5821.

 

Providers should consider testing patients with signs and symptoms consistent with acute viral hepatitis.  These may include elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, abdominal discomfort and joint pain. Testing should include the following:

 

·        Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)

·        IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc)

·        IgM hepatitis A antibody (IgM anti-HAV)

·        Antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). 

 

For More Information: Questions or comments should be directed to Vickie Rea, regional epidemiologist, at 262-9904.