Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-4 (of 4 Records) |
Query Trace: Averhoff FM[original query] |
---|
Global burden of hepatitis C: considerations for healthcare providers in the United States
Averhoff FM , Glass N , Holtzman D . Clin Infect Dis 2012 55 Suppl 1 S10-5 An estimated 2%-3% of the world's population is living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and each year, >350.000 die of HCV-related conditions, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. The epidemiology and burden of HCV infection varies throughout the world, with country-specific prevalence ranging from <1% to >10%. In contrast to the United States and other developed countries, HCV transmission in developing countries frequently results from exposure to infected blood in healthcare and community settings. Hepatitis C prevention, care, and treatment programs must recognize country-specific epidemiology, which varies by setting and level of economic development. Awareness of the global epidemiology of HCV infection is important for US healthcare providers treating foreign-born patients from countries where HCV infection is endemic and for counseling patients who travel to these countries. Countries with a high burden of HCV infection also would benefit from establishing comprehensive prevention, care, and treatment programs. |
World Hepatitis Day: a new era for hepatitis control
Ward JW , Averhoff FM , Koh HK . Lancet 2011 378 (9791) 552-3 In recognition of a public health issue that affects more than half a billion people worldwide,1 the World Health Assembly has designated July 28 as World Hepatitis Day.2 Every year, this day will challenge the world to meet the urgent need for prevention and control of viral hepatitis and to ensure the best possible care and treatment for those infected. July 28 coincides with the birthday of Baruch Blumberg (1925–2011), who not only discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1967 and developed the first hepatitis B vaccine in 1969, but also won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1976 for these achievements.3 Much progress has since been made, and hepatitis B vaccination is now the most effective tool for preventing viral hepatitis and liver cancer. Vaccines can also prevent hepatitis A, and hepatitis E vaccines show promise in clinical trials.1, 4 | Screening of donated blood for HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) has substantially lowered the number of viral hepatitis infections caused by transfusions. Provision and proper disposal of medical equipment can reduce transmission of HBV and HCV in health-care settings.1 With diagnostic assessment, patients can readily learn their infection status and, if infected, can access care services—for example, a rapid test for HCV antibody is now available in Europe and the USA.5 Antiviral therapies for people with HBV and HCV can reduce or eliminate viral replication, decreasing development of associated liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.1, 6 The potential for the combined global impact of these tools is tantalising. For example, for the past 11 years the GAVI Alliance has been committed to supporting the introduction of paediatric hepatitis B vaccination in 67 countries7 and, in 2009, about 70% of infants worldwide received the three-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine.8 Furthermore, the US Department of Health and Human Services has unveiled an action plan for the first comprehensive federal response to viral hepatitis.9 Such developments raise hope for a new era of hepatitis control. |
Tuberculosis investigations associated with air travel: U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 2007-June 2008
Marienau KJ , Burgess GW , Cramer E , Averhoff FM , Buff AM , Russell M , Kim C , Neatherlin JC , Lipman H . Travel Med Infect Dis 2010 8 (2) 104-12 INTRODUCTION: Contact investigations conducted in the United States of persons with tuberculosis (TB) who traveled by air while infectious have increased. However, data about transmission risks of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on aircraft are limited. METHODS: We analyzed data on index TB cases and passenger contacts from contact investigations initiated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from January 2007 through June 2008. RESULTS: Contact investigations for 131 index cases met study inclusion criteria, including 4550 passenger contacts. U.S. health departments reported TB screening test results for 758 (22%) of assigned contacts; 182 (24%) had positive results. Of the 142 passenger contacts with positive TB test results with information about risk factors for prior TB infection, 130 (92%) had at least one risk factor and 12 (8%) had no risk factors. Positive TB test results were significantly associated with risk factors for prior TB infection (OR 23; p<0.001). No cases of TB disease among passenger contacts were reported. CONCLUSION: The risks of M. tuberculosis transmission during air travel remain difficult to quantify. Definitive assessment of transmission risks during flights and determination of the effectiveness of contact-tracing efforts will require comprehensive cohort studies. |
Risk of norovirus transmission during air travel
Kornylo K , Kim DK , Widdowson MA , Turabelidze G , Averhoff FM . J Travel Med 2009 16 (5) 349-51 BACKGROUND: During October 2006, an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis sickened 200 (59%) of the 379 passengers and 26 (18%) of the 144 crew members on a riverboat. In November 2006, CDC was notified that a group of ill passengers had boarded a commercial flight from St Louis, Missouri, to Atlanta, Georgia. A recent study demonstrated probable norovirus transmission from eight symptomatic flight attendants to passengers on board an aircraft during an international flight; however, there are no published reports of transmission of norovirus on flights of short duration. Methods. We investigated the risk of norovirus transmission on a short flight as part of an outbreak response. Using a standardized questionnaire, we conducted interviews of passengers and flight attendants who were on the flight. We collected information on traveler demographics and illness before, during, and after the flight. We also collected information about potential onboard risk factors for norovirus transmission, such as proximity and contact with ill appearing persons during the flight, as well as use of onboard lavatories and hand hygiene. Results. We were able to complete questionnaires for 50 (56%) of the 89 passengers on the flight and 2 (67%) of the 3 flight attendants. Two (5%) of 42 possible secondary cases were identified. These two passengers neither sat in proximity to an index-case passenger during the flight nor reported use of an onboard lavatory. CONCLUSIONS: Although onboard transmission cannot be excluded, likelihood of norovirus transmission on a short flight when ill travelers do not have episodes of vomiting or diarrhea appears minimal. |
- Page last reviewed:Feb 1, 2024
- Page last updated:May 06, 2024
- Content source:
- Powered by CDC PHGKB Infrastructure