(1 of 13)
May 24, 2006
MAY IS HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH

CDC highlighted May as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the May 12 issue of MMWR. To recognize Hepatitis Awareness Month, CDC has featured facts about hepatitis A, B, and C, as well as viral hepatitis awareness activities in various state programs.

You can access this information at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5518a1.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------  

Return to top

(2 of 13)
May 24, 2006
TWO HEPATITIS B REPORTS FEATURED IN MAY 12 ISSUE OF MMWR

CDC published two reports in the May 12 issue of MMWR: (1) "Screening for Chronic Hepatitis B Among Asian/Pacific Islander Populations—New York City, 2005" and (2) "Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage Among Adults—United States, 2004." Following is a brief summary of each, with links to the complete articles.

(1) "Screening for Chronic Hepatitis B Among Asian/Pacific Islander Populations—New York City, 2005" details a seroprevalence study conducted by the New York University School of Medicine. During January 22–June 30, 2005, a total of 1,836 persons, many of whom had no health insurance and did not know their hepatitis B serologic status, were tested for HBV infection. Among the 1,633 persons with complete demographic information, 1,614 (98.8%) identified a country in Asia or the western Pacific as their place of birth. Screening determined that 392 of 1,633 (24.0%) had chronic HBV infection, 791 (48.4%) had evidence of resolved HBV infection, and 450 (27.6%) were susceptible to HBV infection. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection was higher among males compared with females, persons ages 20–39 years, and among persons who had been living in the United States for no more than 5 years.

To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5518a2.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5518.pdf

(2) "Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage Among Adults—United States, 2004" reported the results of an analysis from the 2004 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicate that, during 2004, 34.6% of persons ages 18–49 years reported receiving hepatitis B vaccine, including 45.4% of persons at high risk for HBV infection. The findings in this report suggest that hepatitis B vaccination coverage among adults at high risk, as measured by NHIS, has increased substantially from 30% in 2000 to 45% in 2004. The report stressed that to further accelerate elimination of HBV transmission in the United States, public health programs and clinical care providers should implement strategies to ensure that adults at high risk are offered hepatitis B vaccine.

To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5518a3.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5518.pdf
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(3 of 13)
May 24, 2006
BRIEFING ON HEPATITIS B BILL HR 4550 HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC

On May 11, a briefing on the Hepatitis B Bill HR 4550 was held at the Rayburn Building in Washington, DC. Attendees included Dr. John Ward (CDC), and Drs. Jay Hoofnagle and Leonard Seeff (NIH). Also in attendance were Congressmen Charles Dent of Pennsylvania and Michael Honda of California, cosponsors of the bill. Print media and Chinese television covered the briefing.

The purpose of the bill is "To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, promote, and support a comprehensive prevention, education, research, and medical management program that will lead to a marked reduction in liver cirrhosis and a reduction in the cases of, and improved survival of, liver cancer caused by chronic hepatitis B virus infection." For more information about the briefing and Hepatitis B Bill HR 4550, visit http://www.hepb.org/advocacy
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(4 of 13)
May 24, 2006
VIRAL HEPATITIS IS THE FOCUS OF THE MAY ISSUE OF NASTAD'S HIV PREVENTION BULLETIN

The May issue of the HIV Prevention Bulletin, a publication of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), contains a wide range of articles related to viral hepatitis prevention and control. To access it, go to: http://www.nastad.org/Docs/Public/Publication/2006430_May06_Bulletin_webfinal.PDF
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(5 of 13)
May 24, 2006
NEW: MMWR PUBLISHES UPDATED ACIP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEPATITIS A VACCINE

[The following is cross posted from IAC's IAC Express electronic newsletter, 5/22/06.]

On May 19, CDC published "Prevention of Hepatitis A Through Active or Passive Immunization: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)" in MMWR Recommendations and Reports. The summary is reprinted below in its entirety.

***********************

Routine vaccination of children is an effective way to reduce hepatitis A incidence in the United States. Since licensure of hepatitis A vaccine during 1995–1996, the hepatitis A childhood immunization strategy has been implemented incrementally, starting with the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in 1996 to vaccinate children living in communities with the highest disease rates and continuing in 1999 with ACIP's recommendations for vaccination of children living in states, counties, and communities with consistently elevated hepatitis A rates. These updated recommendations represent the final step in the childhood hepatitis A immunization strategy, routine hepatitis A vaccination of children nationwide. Implementation of these recommendations will reinforce existing vaccination programs, extend the benefits associated with hepatitis A vaccination to the rest of the country, and create the foundation for eventual  consideration of elimination of indigenous hepatitis A virus transmission.

This report updates ACIP's 1999 recommendations concerning the prevention of hepatitis A through immunization (CDC. Prevention of hepatitis A through active or passive immunization: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices [ACIP]. MMWR 1999:48[No. RR-12]:1–37) and includes (1) new data on the epidemiology of hepatitis A in the era of hepatitis A vaccination of children in selected U.S. areas, (2) results of analyses of the economics of nationwide routine vaccination of children, and (3) recommendations for the routine vaccination of children in the United States. Previous recommendations for vaccination of persons in groups at increased risk for hepatitis A or its adverse consequences and recommendations regarding the use of immune globulin for protection against hepatitis A are unchanged from the 1999 recommendations.

***********************

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR Recommendations and Reports, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5507.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5507a1.htm

To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which includes new ACIP statements), go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(6 of 13)
May 24, 2006
CDC FEATURES ACCREDITED VIRAL HEPATITIS SEROLOGY ONLINE TRAINING

CDC's viral hepatitis serology online training offers 1.3 category 1 credits for physicians and 1.6 contact hours for nurses. Included in the training are serologic graphs with voice-over serologic interpretations, as well as case studies that you can use to apply "lessons learned." The training can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/serology
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(7 of 13)
May 24, 2006
A WORTHWHILE PUBLICATION: SIGNpost WILL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE ON GLOBAL INJECTION-SAFETY ISSUES

SIGNpost, the weekly email newsletter of Safe Injection Global Network, contains numerous articles addressing the worldwide prevention of bloodborne pathogen transmission. For a subscription or to view recent issues, go to: http://www.who.int/injection_safety/newsletter/SIGNPost/en
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(8 of 13)
May 24, 2006
PRESENTATIONS FROM MARCH INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON PERINATAL HBV TRANSMISSION NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

In March, CDC, the United Nations Children's Fund, Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB), and World Health Organizationheld a meeting in Istanbul on the "Prevention and Control of Perinatal HBV Transmission in the WHO European Region." Presentations from the meeting can be viewed at http://www.vhpb.org
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(9 of 13)
May 24, 2006
WEBCAST COMING JUNE 6–7 ON EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION OF PERINATAL HEPATITIS B AND C

An audio web conference titled "Epidemiology and Prevention of Perinatal Hepatitis B and C" will be broadcast on June 6 and June 7. The webcast will be in English and simultaneously translated into Spanish and Portuguese. Drs. Susan Wang and Eric Mast from CDC will be the presenters. Continuing education credits will be offered. Visit http://www.AbbottDiagnostics.com or http://registration.mshow.com/addelearning for information on registration.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(10 of 13)
May 24, 2006
SIXTH ANNUAL B INFORMED PATIENT CONFERENCE RETURNING TOSAN FRANCISCO JUNE 10–11

The Hepatitis B Foundation's Sixth Annual B Informed Patient Conference will return to San Francisco on June 10–11. Patients, as well as their families and loved ones, are invited to participate in this lively two-day discussion focusing on the care and management of chronic hepatitis B. There will be presentations in both Chinese and English.Registration information is available at http://www.hepb.org/patients/patient_conference2006.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(11 of 13)
May 24, 2006
CONFERENCE ON THE PUBLIC'S HEALTH AND THE LAW IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PLANNED FOR JUNE 12–14 IN ATLANTA

The CDC-sponsored conference focuses on innovative legal tools and strategies for use in public health practice. Speakers confirmed for the conference include U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH; John O. Agwunobi, MD, MPH, assistant secretary for health, Department of Health and Human Services; and Michael R. Bloomberg, mayor of New York City.

Conference attendees involved in immunization and infectious diseases programs may benefit from the following conference sessions:

• The Public Health Law Year in Review: Implications of Major Legal Developments, Trends, and Court Rulings
• Vaccine Law 101
• New Adolescent Vaccines: Legal and Legislative Issues
• Incident at Airport X: Quarantine Enforcement: Law and Limits
• Health Departments, Hospitals, and the Pandemic Flu: Overlapping Ethical and Legal Questions
• Pandemic Flu: The Threat, Health System Implications, and Legal Preparedness
• Closing the Gap between Science and Law
• Training and Tools for a Legally Prepared Public Health Workforce

For comprehensive information and to register, go to: http://www2a.cdc.gov/phlp/conference2006.asp For registration information, email Katie Johnson at kjohnson@aslme.org or phone her at (617) 262-4990.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(12 of 13)
May 24, 2006
CDC'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES (ACIP) WILL MEET JUNE 29–30; ADVANCE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED

[The following is cross posted from IAC's IAC Express electronic newsletter, 5/22/06.]

The next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will be held in Atlanta on Thursday and Friday, June 29–30.

To speed security clearance at CDC's Clifton Road campus, ACIP attendees (participants and visitors) should register online. To register for the June meeting, go to: http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/ACIP/JuneRegistration.asp

All non-U.S. citizens are required to register at least three weeks in advance of an ACIP meeting. Non-U.S. citizens will not be allowed to register on site. In addition to registering online, foreign attendees must also complete an additional document. To obtain this form, email Dee Gardner at dgardner@cdc.gov or call (404) 639-8836.

As a reminder, the fall ACIP meeting will be held Wednesday–Thursday, October 25–26. For more information, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/acip
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(13 of 13)
May 24, 2006
TWELFTH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON VIRAL HEPATITIS AND LIVER DISEASE TO BE HELD IN PARIS JULY 1–5

This symposium follows the successful previous meetings held in Houston, Tokyo, Rome, Atlanta, and Sidney. State of the art, controversies, and original studies will be presented in plenary sessions, symposia, parallel workshops, and poster sessions. Late breakers will guarantee inclusion of the latest progress, and satellite symposia will complete the agenda. For information, visit http://www.isvhld2006.com