NJ Health Department Recognizes World Hepatitis Day; Encourages Hepatitis C Testing

TRENTON - Spotlighting awareness on hepatitis and testing, treatment, and vaccination efforts, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is recognizing July 28 as World Hepatitis Day.

Hepatitis is a contagious liver disease caused by different viruses, the most prevalent being hepatitis A, B and C. Hepatitis A can be a short-term infection that can last for a few weeks or months and is vaccine-preventable. While hepatitis B - which is also vaccine-preventable - and C can develop into chronic illnesses for those infected, treatment for both is available. Most people can be cured of hepatitis C with timely treatment, according to the CDC.

Symptoms of all types of viral hepatitis are similar and can include one or more of the following: dark urine or clay-colored stools; diarrhea (hepatitis A only); feeling tired; fever; joint pain; loss of appetite; nausea, stomach pain, throwing up; yellow skin or eyes (jaundice). Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop.

"There are far too many people living undiagnosed and, therefore, untreated for hepatitis. Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis so you can get available treatments, and there are medications that can cure most cases of Hepatitis C," said Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, M.D. "Prevention is also a key factor in helping to eliminate viral hepatitis. There are safe and effective vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and B."

In 2023, cases reported to New Jersey included:

Hepatitis A:

• Acute: 78

Hepatitis B

• Chronic: 2,085
• Acute: 45
• Perinatal: 0

Hepatitis C

• Chronic: 2,806
• Acute: 91
• Perinatal: 5

Hepatitis A is very contagious and can spread through contact with objects, food or drinks contaminated by an infected person. It can cause mild to severe infection but does not lead to chronic or life-long infection. Vaccination for hepatitis A starts with children ages 12 months through 23 months, and a vaccine can be given to anyone who requests it if not already vaccinated.

Hepatitis B is spread through an infected person's blood and bodily fluids and can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby at birth. Hepatitis B can cause acute or chronic liver disease and is a leading cause of liver cancer.

Hepatitis C spreads through contact with infected blood through sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs. Chronic hepatitis C can result in serious or potentially life-threatening health issues like cirrhosis and liver cancer. Treatment is oral medication with minimal side effects taken over eight to 12 weeks. The CDC recommends universal hepatitis C screening for everyone ages 18 years and older at least once in their lifetime and all pregnant individuals during each pregnancy.

Harm reduction practices, such as using sterile injecting equipment (i.e. needles, syringes), can prevent transmission of hepatitis C. Harm reduction centers provide safer use of injecting equipment and other services for people who use opioids and have been shown to reduce the disease transmission among people who use drugs.

As of July 2024, New Jersey now has 44 approved harm reduction center sites. This includes 28 sites currently open in 20 counties. Sites include fixed, mobile, and mail-based services.

NJDOH continues to collaborate with providers and partners across the state to promote hepatitis C testing and reduce barriers to treatment, especially among priority populations such as people who inject drugs, people experiencing homelessness or who have unstable housing, and pregnant people.

To find free or low cost publicly-funded hepatitis services, including vaccination, testing and treatment, visit NJDOH's hepatitis services locator.

To commemorate World Hepatitis Day, the following free testing events will be held:

Monday, July 29
New Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) teams with Visiting Nurse Association in Brick for free hepatitis C testing/treatment and harm reduction services.

• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 150 Brick Blvd., Brick (Ocean Monmouth Care)
• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., 725 Mantoloking Road, Brick (Seeds of Service)

NJCRI teams with Camden Area Health Education Center in Camden for free hepatitis C testing/treatment and harm reduction services.

• 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 2600 Mt. Ephraim Ave., Camden

Tuesday, July 30

NJCRI teams with the Township of Nutley for free hepatitis C testing/treatment and HIV/STI testing.

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nutley Health Department, 149 Chestnut St., Nutley

Wednesday, July 31

• NJCRI teams with Hyacinth in Paterson for hepatitis C testing/treatment and harm reduction services
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Straight Street and Montgomery Street, Paterson

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