Massachusetts integrated viral hepatitis surveillance and prevention program - hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remain two of the highest burden reportable diseases…

Massachusetts integrated viral hepatitis surveillance and prevention program - hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remain two of the highest burden reportable diseases recorded by the massachusetts department of public health (MDPH), with 4,500-8,000 newly reported cases of acute and chronic HCV infections, and 1,600-2,000 acute and chronic HBV infections reported annually over the last five years. Massachusetts has documented an increasing epidemic of HCV in youth and young adults since 2007. In 2018, more than half of the newly reported HCV cases were between 15 and 39 years of age. Injection drug use is implicated in approximately 70% of HCV cases occurring in individuals under age 30 years where risk information is reported. This corresponds to a well-documented increase in opioid use in massachusetts over the past 20 years. Between 2000 and 2016, annual opioid-related overdose deaths rose from 375 to a peak of 2,102. Hepatitis a virus (HAV) infection is also a significant issue in massachusetts, as evidenced by a recent statewide outbreak among persons experiencing homelessness and persons who inject drugs (PWID).the effectiveness of treatment for viral hepatitis, and in particular the curative nature of available therapies for HCV, underscores the importance of expanding testing for HCV, and the value of linking individuals, especially PWID, to care and treatment. MDPH proposes a comprehensive strategy, including essential viral hepatitis surveillance activities to inform viral hepatitis prevention and public health response efforts. We will build on our already robust surveillance infrastructure. We will leverage and strengthen the capacity of a statewide network of contracted clinical and community-based providers to deliver essential prevention, screening, and linkage services for priority populations, notably PWID. We will enhance the capacity of massachusetts? Syringe service programs to deliver a comprehensive bundle of services to PWID to prevent infections associated with injection D rug use, reduce deaths from overdose, support engagement and completion of treatment for HCV and other infections, and to facilitate linkage to treatment for substance use disorder.MDPH will employ diverse, evidence-based strategies in approach to viral hepatitis in the state: develop and implement a jurisdictional framework for outbreak response; collect, analyze, interpret, and disseminate viral hepatitis case data to characterize trends and inform public health interventions; support implementation and expansion of viral hepatitis testing, particularly in high-impact settings; strengthen provider capacity to treat viral hepatitis; strengthen the capacity of ssps to deliver comprehensive services for PWID to effectively address the varied health impacts of injection drug use. In combination, the proposed strategies and activities will enhance MDPH?S capacity to monitor and effectively respond to viral hepatitis disease burden, and promote health equity in affected populations.