Hep A Is on the Rise; Here’s What the CDC Wants You to Do

Cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in the United States have been creeping up slowly but steadily since 2016 for several years now—to the extent that there are now over then 15,000 active cases across the country. Over half of those (57%) have resulted in hospitalizations, and 140 people have died. In response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just issued an advisory on its Health Alert Network for patients, public health departments, healthcare facilities, and programs established to help patients with HAV. Of particular note for urgent care providers, the CDC recommends the following:

• Screen patients for risk factors (eg, drug use, homelessness, incarceration, men who have sex with men, and chronic liver disease).
• Recommend and administer hepatitis A vaccine to at-risk patients, regardless of the original presenting complaint or the type of clinical facility. The CDC notes that “the emergency department may be an individual’s only interaction with the healthcare system and is an important opportunity for prevention,” but clearly the same holds true for urgent care.
• Record immunizations in the state immunization information system (registry).
• Consider HAV as a diagnosis in anyone with jaundice or clinically compatible symptoms.
• Report all persons diagnosed with hepatitis A to the health department immediately to ensure timely case investigation and follow-up of contacts.