News & Media
MDHHS Activates Community Health Emergency Coordination Center in Response to Hepatitis A Outbreak
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, October 2017
As cases continue to rise, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has activated the Community Health Emergency Coordination Center (CHECC) to coordinate the response of the multiple jurisdictions involved in the hepatitis A outbreak.
The CHECC has been activated to provide support to impacted jurisdictions including local health departments, hospitals, EMS, healthcare coalitions and other healthcare providers.
As there are indications that the outbreak could spread outside of the Southeast region of Michigan, MDHHS is urging all healthcare providers to promote hepatitis A vaccination to the highest risk individuals, including:
- Persons with a history of substance use
- Persons currently homeless or in transient living
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Persons incarcerated in correctional facilities
- Food handlers
- Healthcare workers
- Persons with underlying liver disease
- Persons who are in close contact with any of the above risk groups
- Persons wishing to be immune to hepatitis A
Since August 1, 2016, there have been 457 confirmed cases of hepatitis A, including 18 fatalities, associated with this outbreak in the City of Detroit, Huron, Ingham, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties reported to MDHHS.
MDHHS and local public health officials are working to quickly investigate cases as they are identified, as well as notify the healthcare community and encourage providers to speak with their patients about hepatitis A, increase vaccinations, and test for hepatitis A when appropriate. These activities include:
- On September 18, the state Medicaid program issued a letter to healthcare providers about the outbreak, testing information, including prevention, testing, and treatment information. This letter was sent to 5,069 Medicaid-enrolled providers and another 11,758 providers and interested parties signed up for Medicaid updates.
- There are ongoing vaccination campaigns in jails, substance use treatment centers, health departments, emergency departments, and homeless centers, as well as with the Michigan Department of Corrections to reach highest risk individuals.
- Supported by contracted nurses from the Visiting Nurse Association, MI Volunteer Registry - volunteers, and MDHHS, local health departments are partnering with community organizations to provide hepatitis A vaccine to at-risk individuals.
More information about the hepatitis A outbreak in Michigan and current recommendations are available at the following link: Hepatitis A Southeast Michigan Outbreak. Michigan residents are also encouraged to contact their local health department for more information or vaccination.
To view the full press release, follow this link: MDHHS activates Community Health Emergency Coordination Center in response to hepatitis A outbreak