Viral Hepatitis B, 2017

In 2017, 23 cases of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (0.4 per 100,000 population) were reported. In 2012, the case definition for acute hepatitis B was revised to include laboratory confirmed asymptomatic acute cases. Four of the 23 cases were asymptomatic, laboratory-confirmed infections.

The median age of cases was 45 years (range 17 to 67). Eighteen (78%) cases were residents of the metropolitan area, including 7 (30%) in Hennepin County, and 8 (35%) in Ramsey County. Sixteen (70%) cases were male, and 11 (48%) were between 13-39 years of age. Race was known for 21 cases; of those, 11 were white, 5 were black, and 5 were Asian/Pacific Islander. No cases were of Hispanic ethnicity. Incidence rates were higher among Asians (0.2 per 100,000) and blacks (1.6 per 100,000), than among non-Hispanic whites (0.2 per 100,000).

Two hundred fifty-one reports of newly identified cases of confirmed chronic HBV infection were received in 2017. A total of 24,486 persons are estimated to be alive and living in Minnesota with chronic HBV infection. The median age of chronic HBV cases in Minnesota is 45 years.

In addition to the 23 hepatitis B cases, no perinatal infections were identified in infants born to HBsAg positive mothers. Three hundred forty-six infants born to HBV- infected women during 2015 had post-serologic testing demonstrating no infection.

• For up to date information see>> Hepatitis B
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2017