Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

------------------------------------------------------------

June 7, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Hepatitis Cases in Boston Surge"

Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (06/05/02) P. B3; Smith, Stephen

A new report from Boston's Public Health Commission (PHC) shows that hepatitis C cases in the city increased by 300 percent over the past four years, reflecting increases seen throughout the state and the country.  However, the increase in cases of hepatitis C, and also hepatitis B, may show the success of testing initiatives introduced during the late 1990s.  Massive awareness and prevention campaigns were mounted statewide as the effects of hepatitis infections from recreational drug use during the 1960s and 1970s and tainted blood transfusions began to emerge.  A $2.75 million prevention budget cut threatens the continuation of those programs, however, and Boston may have to eliminate the hepatitis initiative next month if the funding is not restored.  By 2001, cases of hepatitis C in Boston had grown to 1,139 from just 380 in 1998, and cases of hepatitis B rose to 550 from 339.  City officials plan to issue an alert to infection control specialists at hospitals and suburban health clinics over the next few weeks, urging the sharing of information with patrons about prevention and testing.  Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C can be transmitted from person to person or through shared infected needles, and while both strains can be transmitted through sexual activity as well, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that hepatitis C is difficult to contract via sex.  At least 3.9 million people in the United States are infected with hepatitis C, the CDC estimates, and 1.25 million people are thought to be chronic carriers of hepatitis B, which can be prevented with a vaccine.

Vaccination News Home Page

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.