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**

 

2006PHUPD002

 

 

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 Outbreak

 

DATE:            December 5, 2006                  

 

TIME:            11:00 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.    

Acute Hepatitis B Outbreak, December 2006

 

 

Background:  An outbreak of acute Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) began in the Bangor area in June 2006. The Maine CDC has continued to receive reports of cases throughout the summer and fall.  Currently, there are seven cases in Penobscot County and one case in Hancock County.  (For comparison, only 12 cases of acute hepatitis B are reported statewide during an average year.)  Each case has undergone one or more in-depth interviews.  Sexual exposure has been identified as a major risk factor in this outbreak.

 

Recommendations:  Health care providers should report any acute cases of HBV by calling 1-800-821-5821.

 

Providers should test patients with signs and symptoms consistent with acute viral hepatitis such as 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 antibody to hepatitis A virus (IgM anti-HAV)

·        Antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV)

 

In addition, providers should question and/or counsel their patients on potential risk factors, including sexual practices.

 

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