2000 Indiana Report of Infectious Diseases: Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B

Rates presented are per 100,000 population and are based on the U.S. 2000 Census.

	Cases	Incidence Rate
Total	92	1.5
Race-specific cases and rates¹
White	57	1.1
Black	23	4.5
Sex-specific cases and rates
Female	58	1.9
Male	34	1.1

Hepatitis B is a bloodborne pathogen disease transmitted by direct contact with blood or body fluids that contain the virus, sexual contact with an infected person, or from an infected mother to her infant during childbirth. Although the incidence of this disease has been steadily declining in the United States over the past decade, it has remained at 2.5 reported cases per 100,000 population for the past two years. The incidence of hepatitis B in Indiana continues to fall below the national average.

In 2000, the number of reported cases of acute hepatitis B reported to the Indiana State Department of Health increased to 92 from a record low of 77 cases in 1999. One of the reported cases resulted in death. Figure HpB1 shows reported cases of hepatitis B for the five year period, 1996-2000.

In 2000, rates of acute hepatitis B infection varied with age. The highest rate in Indiana is found in young adults ages 20-29 (3.4/100,000 population). Figure HpB2 shows the incidence rate of acute hepatitis B by age group.

Although 64 cases were interviewed about risk factors for contracting hepatitis B, not all of those interviewed responded to each question asked (Table HpB1). Having more than one sexual partner is the highest risk factor for acquiring hepatitis B in both Indiana and the U.S.

In 2000, 25 Indiana counties reported cases of hepatitis B. Incidence for counties reporting five (5) or more cases are noted in Table HpB2.

Beginning In 2000, Indiana law requires reporting of both acute and chronic hepatitis B infection during pregnancy and perinatally exposed infants. In 2000, 67 Indiana women were identified as infectious with hepatitis B during pregnancy. Identifying these women during pregnancy facilitates appropriate medical treatment for infants.

Figure HpB1: Hepatitis B Cases by Year, Indiana, 1996-2000

Figure HpB2: Hepatitis B - Incidence Rate by Age Group, Indiana, 2000

Table HpB1: Frequency of Patient-Recorded Risk Factors for Hepatitis B, Indiana, 2000

Risk Factor	Number Responding	Percent with Risk Factor
Multiple sexual partners	64	27%
Homosexual/bisexual	54	24%
Contact of a case	46	20%
History of dental work	64	14%
History of Surgery	57	12%
Accidental stick with a contaminated object	57	12%
Dialysis association	62	3%
Injection drug use	62	3%
Application of a tattoo	58	3%
Acupuncture	56	2%
Transfusion	61	2%
* Cases may have multiple risk factors.

Table HpB2: Reported Cases of Hepatitis B in Counties with 5 or More Cases, Indiana, 2000

County	Number of Reported Cases
Allen	5
Lake	7
Marion	39
St. Joseph	6
Vanderburg	6

Footnotes

1 - There were 12 cases for which the race of the case was unknown.