(1 of 14)
March 13, 2008
CDC'S DIVISION OF VIRAL HEPATITIS ANNOUNCES POSTER CONTEST

CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis is sponsoring a national poster contest in honor of World Hepatitis Day, which will take place on May 19.

Individual artists of amateur and professional status are eligible to participate. Organizations who would like to submit a group entry are also eligible. There are three categories (General Viral Hepatitis Awareness, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C). Each individual or organization is allowed only one entry per category. Posters may be computer-generated/enhanced or handmade in any medium.

Submissions must be received by midnight Friday, April 18, 2008. A grand prize of $1000 will be awarded to the best poster from all the contest entries. A $250 prize will be awarded to the top entry in each category. Winning posters will be featured on CDC's website, printed, and distributed nationally.

Please tell colleagues, clients, family, and friends about the contest and encourage them to submit an entry. If your organization has a website or newsletter, please consider promoting the contest via these channels.

For official contest rules, or to submit an entry, visit http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/postercontest

Return to top

(2 of 14)
March 13, 2008
CDC POSTS Q&As ABOUT NEW MULTI-VACCINE VIS

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC Express" electronic newsletter, 3/10/08.]

On January 30, 2008, CDC posted a multi-vaccine VIS on its website. This new VIS may be used in place of individual VISs whenever routine birth through 6-month vaccines (DTaP, IPV, Hib, hepatitis B, PCV, and rotavirus) are administered, or when combination vaccines are used (e.g., Pediarix or Comvax).

The multi-vaccine VIS is available from the IAC website at http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_multi1.pdf and the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-multi.pdf

Because many healthcare professionals have had questions about using this new resource, CDC has added a "Frequently Asked Questions" page to its website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/multi-vis-faqs.htm If you have a question about the new VIS that is not covered in the above, please email crw4@cdc.gov
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(3 of 14)
March 13, 2008
IAC ADDS INFORMATION TO ITS HEPATITIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS WEBSITE

IAC's hepatitis prevention programs website features programs that are successfully preventing hepatitis A, B, and/or C in individuals at risk of infection. The content is intended for public health and social service managers who can use the information to start or improve hepatitis prevention programs.

The site currently features 80 programs in 11 categories.

The following programs have not previously been featured in Hep Express.

New York State Hepatitis C Continuity Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/adult/adult17.asp
The Hepatitis C Continuity Program is a program for NYSDOCS inmates who are under treatment for hepatitis C. The program promotes treatment completion by collaborating with the DOCS, NYSDOH, NYS Division of Parole, and NYC Health and Hospitals.

Washoe County District Health Department Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/perinatal/per6.asp
The Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program is a surveillance and reminder program for infants and household contacts of pregnant women who are HBsAg positive in Washoe County, NV.

If you know of additional HBV or HCV support groups, have a hepatitis prevention program to share, or have viral hepatitis resources to share (including brochures, manuals, slide sets, photos, or videos), write admin@hepprograms.org and we will consider adding them to the website.

We appreciate your participation in this project!
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(4 of 14)
March 13, 2008
WASHINGTON STATE API HEPATITIS B TASK FORCE DEVELOPS NEW BROCHURE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

The Washington State API Hepatitis B Task Force has developed a new brochure titled "Mommy, Baby, and Hepatitis B." This resource provides information about HBV and how to protect both the mother and her baby from the virus. The information is appropriate for all pregnant women, regardless of their HBsAg status.

The brochure is available in Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Samoan, each with a culturally appropriate photograph. Each version also includes the same information in English.

To download these brochures, go to http://www.apihepbwa.org/materials (fifth bullet) Information about ordering the brochures from the Task Force can be found on the same page.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(5 of 14)
March 13, 2008
IAC UPDATES THREE PRINT EDUCATIONAL PIECES

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC Express" electronic newsletter, 3/10/08.]

IAC recently revised three of its print educational resources, "Vaccine Administration Record for Adults," "Questions Parents Ask About Baby Shots," and "Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines."

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated "Vaccine Administration Record for Adults," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2023.pdf

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated "Questions Parents Ask About Baby Shots," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4025.pdf

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated "Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3072a.pdf
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(6 of 14)
March 13, 2008
HCV INFECTIONS TRACED TO NEVADA ENDOSCOPY CLINIC

In January 2008, investigators from CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis and Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion responded to a request from the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) to help investigate three persons reported to the local surveillance program with acute HCV infection; all three persons had undergone procedures at a Las Vegas endoscopy clinic. Since beginning the investigation, CDC and SNHD have identified a total of six cases of HCV infection among patients who had undergone procedures at the clinic in the 35–90 days prior to onset of symptoms. These patients did not have other risks for HCV infection. Molecular diagnostic testing conducted by CDC confirmed the relatedness of several of these infections.

On investigation of the clinic, CDC and SNHD observed practices that had the potential to transmit HCV. On the basis of these findings, SNHD is notifying 40,000 past patients who were potentially exposed to HCV and other infectious diseases. CDC is providing ongoing support to SNHD for this investigation.

For more information about the investigation from CDC, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/NevadaOutbreak.htm

For more information about the investigation from SNHD, visit:
http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/outbreaks/index.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(7 of 14)
March 13, 2008
HBF POSTS WINTER 2008 ISSUE OF "B INFORMED" NEWSLETTER ON ITS WEBSITE

The Winter 2008 issue of "B Informed," the newsletter of the Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF), is now available online. This issue includes articles about the 2007 international HBV conference and HBV-HIV co-infection, as well as regular features such as information about clinical trials and the "HBF Drug Watch."

The current issue of "B Informed" can be accessed at http://www.hepb.org/pdf/hepbnews51.pdf

To receive "B Informed" through the U.S. mail, please send your name and full address to info@hepb.org and HBF will add your name to its confidential mailing list.

The HBF website offers many other resources at http://www.hepb.org
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(8 of 14)
March 13, 2008
HBF OFFERS SEVEN PODCASTS RELATED TO HEPATITIS B

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) currently offers seven podcasts featuring experts on hepatitis B issues. Podcasts are audio files that can be downloaded to your desktop or portable music/video player for convenient listening.

The podcasts currently available from HBF's website include:

• Dr. Melissa Palmer: "Nutrition, Exercise and Healthy Lifestyles with Chronic Hepatitis B"
• Dr. Maureen Kamischke: "HBV 101: What Parents Should Know About Hepatitis"
• Dr. Maureen Jonas: "Management and Treatment of Children with Hepatitis B"
• Dr. Hie-Won L. Hann: "From Despair to Hope: Advances in the Care of Hepatitis B"
• Dr. Timothy M. Block: "What's New on the HBV Drug Watch"
• Dr. Samuel So: "Eliminating the Voodoo from Hepatitis B" and "How Serious is Hepatitis B?"
• Dr. Gang Chen: "New Developments in the Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B Virus Infection" (this talk is in Chinese)

To access any of these podcasts, go to: http://www.hepb.org/podfolders/ui.php
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(9 of 14)
March 13, 2008
ON-SITE COURSE, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION OF VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES, SCHEDULED FOR ATLANTA ON APRIL 15-16

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC Express" electronic newsletter, 3/10/08.]

A live two-day "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" course will be held in Atlanta on April 15-16, at CDC.

This two-day course provides the most current information available in the constantly changing field of immunization. It offers a comprehensive overview of immunization; general recommendations; and vaccine storage, handling, and administration. The course will also highlight one or more emerging issues in the field.

Space is limited, so please register early. Continuing education credits will be provided. For registration information, download the course brochure found at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/downloads/atl-brochure2008.pdf

For more information, please contact Laverne Graham at (404) 639-8225.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(10 of 14)
March 13, 2008
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SPONSORING HEPATITIS C CONFERENCE ON MARCH 25

The New York State Department of Health is sponsoring a conference titled "Hepatitis C: Turning Up the Volume on Our Response" on March 25, in New York City. The purpose of the conference is assist health and human service providers by providing up-to-date information on hepatitis C epidemiology, diagnosis, management, treatment, and prevention.

For additional information, email caf03@health.state.ny.us or call (518) 486-6806.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(11 of 14)
March 13, 2008
NORTH AMERICAN SYRINGE EXCHANGE CONVENTION TO BE HELD APRIL 30-MAY 3, IN TACOMA, WA

The North American Syringe Exchange Convention will take place April 30-May 3, in Tacoma, Washington. This is an opportunity for those interested in syringe exchange to meet and share information. Session topics will include how to start a syringe exchange program, harm reduction principles, approaches to outreach, and the latest research on HIV and hepatitis C.

For more information, go to http://www.nasen.org or email nasen@seanet.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(12 of 14)
March 13, 2008
DIGESTIVE DISEASE WEEK TO BE HELD MAY 17-22, IN SAN DIEGO

Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is an educational opportunity for physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery. This year's DDW will be held in San Diego, California, on May 17-22.

For registration materials and the preliminary DDW program, go to: http://www.ddw.org
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(13 of 14)
March 13, 2008
INTERNATIONAL HARM REDUCTION CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR MAY 11-15, IN BARCELONA, SPAIN

The International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) has scheduled its 19th conference for May 11-15, in Barcelona, Spain.

For more information, go to: http://www.ihra.net/barcelona/abouttheevent
---------------------------------------------------------------

Return to top

(14 of 14)
March 13, 2008
NATIONAL HARM REDUCTION CONFERENCE SET FOR NOVEMBER 13-16, IN MIAMI

The 7th National Harm Reduction Conference, "Towards a National Policy," will be held November 13-16, in Miami, Florida.

For more information and registration materials, go to: http://www.harmreduction.org/article.php?list=type&type=60 Early registration runs through September 1.