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Posted October 7, 2003
Hepatitis
C In The Prisons
Posted September 24, 2003
Department
of Corrections Guidelines
for the Treatment Of Hepatitis C in the Prisons
Posted April 12, 2003
CORRECTION: CDC Issues Recommendations
for Hepatitis Control in Correctional Facilities
[Corrects story posted Jan 23, 2003. In the third bullet, hepatitis B
replaces hepatitis C; and in the fourth bullet, hepatitis B now
replaces hepatitis C.]
By Megan Rauscher
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 24 - In an effort to prevent and control
hepatitis virus infections in correctional settings and communities,
US health officials have consolidated existing recommendations into
one user-friendly document for correctional and public health
officials who are involved in planning and implementing healthcare
programs for incarcerated persons.
Dr. Cindy Weinbaum of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
told Reuters Health that the "newest thing about this report is
that it brings together in one reference a lot of recommendations that
have previously been made by CDC."
The report provides guidelines on identifying and investigating acute
viral hepatitis; pre- and post-exposure immunization for hepatitis A
and B; preventing HCV infection and its consequences; health
education; and release planning.
Among the recommendations:
- Hepatitis A vaccination for incarcerated children living in states
with high rates of hepatitis A. These children should be vaccinated
according to existing CDC recommendations.
- Hepatitis B vaccination for children found to be unvaccinated when
they enter a juvenile institution, again according to existing CDC
recommendations.
- Unvaccinated adults or adults who have not been previously infected
with hepatitis B virus should be vaccinated when they come through
correctional settings because they are at high risk for HBV infection.
- Hepatitis C virus testing and counseling for those at risk, largely
injection drug users.
Implementing these recommendations can reduce transmission of
hepatitis viruses among adults at risk in both correctional settings
and surrounding communities, according to the CDC. "Prison is a
great place for preventing hepatitis infections from being
transmitted," Dr. Weinbaum said in a tele-briefing with reporters
Thursday. "We see the incarceration period as a
time for potential intervention basically as an extension of the
public health system," she said.
"People in correctional facilities have an increased risk for
hepatitis B and C viruses," Dr. Weinbaum went on to say.
"These people are also members of our community. About 98% of all
incarcerated persons will be released into the community."
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