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Learning Objective:
1. By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to describe a significant outbreak of hepatitis A (HAV) in Massachusetts.
2. By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to discuss strategies to prevent the spread of HAV among homeless people and injection drug users.
3. By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to describe the results of outreach efforts to community partners and organizations.
Background:
Since November 2003, Massachusetts has had a significant increase in the number of HAV cases reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). In 2004, 1001 cases were reported to MDPH as compared to 259 in 2003 and 150 in 2002. The incidence was 13.6 per 100,000 in 2004, as compared to 3.4 in 2003 and 2.2 in 2002. Many of these cases reported a recent history of unemployment (37%), homelessness (13%), injection drug use (30%), incarceration (10%) and hepatitis C infection (19%).
Setting:
Massachusetts has a population of approximately 6.4 million people. The population is concentrated in the eastern part of the state and in two urban areas in the western and central parts of the state.
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
Injection drug users, homeless
Project Description:
MDPH has been working with a wide-range of community partners to educate the at-risk population about HAV transmission and prevention. HAV vaccine has been provided to the at-risk population at community-based settings. Nine regional meetings were held throughout the state to bring together organizations in each community to strategize about ways to vaccinate the at-risk population.
Results/Lessons Learned:
Since December 2004, the number of reported cases has decreased significantly, although incidence is still above historic levels. Providing vaccine to these populations poses numerous challenges. Efforts to control an outbreak of this sort requires significant community outreach and sustained effort.
See more of Poster Session #2
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference