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Hepatitis C in Washington
State
DOH receives approximately 25 to 65 reports of
non-A, non-B hepatitis infections per year, the majority of
which are caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Non-A, non-B
hepatitis is no longer notifiable, however, acute and chronic
infections with hepatitis C became reportable in 2000.
An estimated 100,000 people
in Washington State may be infected with hepatitis C and about
250 deaths occur each year as a result of hepatitis C
infection. Approximately 7,000 case reports for chronic
hepatitis C have been recorded at DOH since reporting was
initiated in December 2000. The majority have been reported
based on a positive antibody test.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To identify sources of transmission (e.g., an infected
health care worker) and to prevent further transmission from
such sources.
- To identify cases that may be a source of infection for
others (e.g., a sexual or drug contact) and to prevent
further disease transmission from such sources.
- To better understand the epidemiology of HCV and the
burden of morbidity from chronic infection.
- To make recommendations about and advocate for resources
for HCV treatment and targeted HCV screening.
Reporting Requirements
- Health care providers: notifiable to Local Health
Jurisdiction within one month
- Hospitals: notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction
within one month
- Laboratories:
- Notifiable within 1 month to Local Health
Jurisdiction of patient's residence
- Local health jurisdictions: notifiable to DOH within 7
days of case investigation completion or summary information
required within 21 days –
- Acute HCV: Communicable Disease Epidemiology
- Chronic HCV: Infectious Disease and Reproductive
Health
Last
update
Oct. 2006 |
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