CONNECTIONS From the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Mobile Version - September - October 2019

From the Director Dr. Jonathan Mermin

When hearing about hepatitis A, many people think of contaminated food and water. Since 2017, the United States has been experiencing a massive, multistate outbreak of hepatitis A, primarily affecting people who use drugs and who experience homelessness. As of September 13, 2019, the numbers are as following:

  • Cases: 25,484
  • Hospitalizations: 15,330
  • Deaths: 254

CDC continues to assist affected states, as well as those vulnerable to infections in the future. As of now, 30 states have declared an outbreak. The good news is that the hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective at preventing HAV infection.

HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report, Volume 24, Number 3

The HIV Surveillance Reports provides the latest data on combatting the HIV epidemic. The most recent supplemental report, Monitoring Selected National HIV Prevention and Care Objectives by Using HIV Surveillance Data United States and 6 Dependent Areas, 2017, includes the 2017 data on linkage to HIV medical care. Of those diagnosed with HIV during 2017, 78% were linked to care within one month after diagnosis. The report also includes complete data from 2016. During 2016, 74% of people living with diagnosed HIV received HIV care, and 58% met the criteria for continuous care. Viral load was suppressed in 83% of people who received care in 2016 and in 86% of people with at least one viral load test during 2016.

2017 Hepatitis Surveillance Report

CDC just released the 2017 Hepatitis Surveillance Report. New hepatitis C infections more than tripled since 2010, with injection drug use as the primary route of transmission. Rates rapidly increased for young adults ages 20-39 from 2009 to 2017. However, mortality is still high and greatest among adults ages 55-64, indicating missed opportunities for early screening. Overall, death rates attributable to HCV infection decreased between 2013 and 2017. To win this fight we need a substantial and focused national effort to reach those already living with hepatitis C, along with stronger prevention services to stop new infections.