Disease Information
Hepatitis B (formerly known as serum hepatitis) is a liver disease caused by a virus. The disease is fairly common. Hepatitis B virus can be found in the blood and, to a lesser extent, saliva, semen and other body fluids of an infected person. It is spread by direct contact with infected body fluids, usually by needle stick injury or sexual contact. Hepatitis B virus is not spread by casual contact. Childhood immunization is recommended.
In 2015, Oregon published its first viral hepatitis epidemiologic profile - Viral Hepatitis in Oregon (pdf) - in collaboration with an advisory group that included other OHA programs and state agencies, local health departments, academic partners, health systems, community-based agencies and community members. The goals of the report are to increase public and professional awareness of screening recommendations for treatment of HCV; provide useful data to local health departments, other state agencies, and health care providers and systems for planning purposes; and inform policies for viral Hepatitis prevention and care.
Disease Reporting
What is required?
Health Care Providers and Clinical Laboratories
Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of both acute and chronic Hepatitis B to local health departments within one working day of identification.
Children in the communicable stages of Hepatitis B may be excluded (OAR 333-019-0019) from attending school or day care if, in the opinion of the local health officer, the child poses an unusually high risk to other children (e.g., exhibits uncontrollable biting or spitting). If sufficient measures have been taken to prevent transmission, or the disease is no longer communicable, worksite, child-care and school restrictions can be removed (OAR 333-019-0014) by the local public health authority.
For Local Health Departments
Data
Once you click on the Tableau link, you will be able to select your disease of interest.
See Also