140 likes | 248 Views
Investigation of a Cluster of Acute Hepatitis C Infections in IDUs, Minnesota, 2001. Minnesota Department of Health. Acknowledgments. Lynne Mercedes Immunization, TB & International Health Section Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Tim Heymans - STD & HIV Section, MDH
E N D
Investigation of a Cluster of Acute Hepatitis C Infectionsin IDUs, Minnesota, 2001 Minnesota Department of Health
Acknowledgments Lynne Mercedes Immunization, TB & International Health Section Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Tim Heymans - STD & HIV Section, MDH Jessie Saavedra - STD & HIV Section, MDH Jeanette Martimo Public Health Nursing Division St. Louis County Public Health Department Carol Hooker Epidemiology & Environmental Health Hennepin County Community Health Department
Minnesota We are here
Background (Tim) • April 2001 – N. MN plasma center reported HCV seroconversions in 3 young donors • Additional cases searched in database • Reported in previous 6 months • Young adults (< 31 yrs. of age) • Northern MN residents
Background (cont.) • May 2001 – N. MN local HD contacted to follow up; results incomplete • June 2001- DI in Greater MN asked by hepatitis surveillance staff to assist • IDU suspected • Hepatitis IDU cases usually unlocatable • DIs in STD & HIV section routinely do this
Background (Jessie) • June 2001 – Metro local HD reported 2 acute HCV cases • Male, Spanish-speaking (23; 33 yrs.) • Seen in ER with Sx • One self reported IDU initiation w/in 6 mos. • Both roofers, per charts • Metro Spanish-speaking DI asked by hepatitis staff to assist
Objectives • Locate • Interview • Establish risk • I.D. partners (sex, needlesharing) • Educate on hepatitis & STDs • Refer for hepatitis A & B testing, vaccine • Local HD in N. MN made tests & vaccine available • Hepatitis A & B tests, vaccine available in Metro area already
Methods • Field visits (Tim) • Element of surprise (face to face vs. phone) • Efficient use of travel (2-day goal) • Day 1: 4 separate assignments • Day 2: 3 additional assignments & return to Duluth • July 2001 - (+) case fails Ix appointment; cluster Ix from partner
Methods (cont.) • Field visits (Jessie) • June 2001 • Address noted in chart • Post office • DMV gave N. MN address • Bar, parked car • June/July 2001 • Homeless shelter • Roofing company, construction sites
Results (Jessie) • 2 assigned cases were confirmed acute • SP of case #1 located; NA w/ties to Duluth • Confirmed IDU of case • Admitted possible source of #1’s infection (taught him to shoot) • Reported case #1 moved to UT • SP tested for STDs • (+)HCV; HBV (-); started HBV vaccine • Other STDs (-) • SP named as NS partner of one of Tim’s Ix • Case #2 homeless; unlocatable; IDU??
Results (Tim) • 5 of 8 assigned were confirmed acute • 4 of 5 were Ix; SP of 5th was cluster Ix • Of completed Ix: • 4 acute HCV; 1 partner of acute • 2 chronic HCV • 1 suspected acute ruled out as (-)
Results (cont.) • 36 additional people named (NS, SP, suspects or associates) • 6 previously reported in HCV database • 1 new (+) moved to Oklahoma • 20 reside on a reservation • Social connections between NA & Latino cases; none between whites & others • Cases on reservation led to MDH grant to tribal health for hepatitis education, intervention, prevention activities
Conclusion Because of the overlap of risk factors for acquiring HIV, HCV, HBV, HAV & STDs, hepatitis intervention activities can be successfully integrated into existing STD & HIV programs.