Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Associated Press (12.20.04) - Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Pam Ramsey
Mercer County's number of hepatitis B cases is about 50 percent higher than the total for 2003, said county public health nurse Melody Rickman, adding the spike has attracted the attention of CDC. Thornton said the state is also tracking the number of cases.
"Our concern is, we just want to educate the public and make them aware. People need to know how hepatitis B is spread," said Rickman. Both hepatitis B and C are transmitted through blood or other body fluids and can be spread by sharing needles or drugs, having unprotected sex with an infected person, or exposure to needles or other sharp objects in the workplace.
Rickman said the increase could be partially attributed to more aggressive tracking and reporting of hepatitis B. Mercer County is training health-care providers on how to report hepatitis, and health departments are being trained to follow up on reports. "We want to see if we've had an increase in sharing needles, people that don't know their sex partners or are practicing unsafe sex... where would be the best place to focus our education efforts," Rickman said.
Since the campaign began earlier this month, several residents have telephoned the county health department asking questions and expressing concern, said Rickman. In addition to education, health officials want to inform residents that a vaccine is available for hepatitis B, she noted.
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