Courtesy Photo A hepatitis B vaccine vial is seen in this photo provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. MDHHS encourages Michigan residents to get tested for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) and to get vaccinated for HBV, a vaccine-preventable disease. MDHHS says HBV and HCV are leading causes of liver cancer in the county.

ALPENA — May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging Michigan residents to get vaccinated and tested for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV).

According to an MDHHS press release, in addition to vaccinations and testing, the department is also encouraging residents to learn about viral hepatitis and the steps individuals can take to protect themselves.

The press release states that viral hepatitis is a concern for the public because it can cause inflammation of the liver. In addition to liver inflammation, HBV and HCV are leading causes of liver cancer in the United States.

People can live with HBV or HCV infection for many years without feeling sick, according to the press release. When infected individuals begin experiencing symptoms, it is often a sign of advanced stages of the disease. Before symptoms of HBV or HCV are present, the press release states that getting tested is the only way for the individual to know if they have HBV or HCV.

The latest complete data collected of both HCV and HBV rates among young adults (18-39 years old) and Baby Boomers (55-74 years old) was in 2023 and reported by MDHHS in their 2023 Hepatitis B and C Annual Surveillance Report, last updated in October 2024.

According to the 2023 MDHHS report, the District Health Department No. 4 (DHD4) jurisdiction area (Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, and Atlanta) recorded 19 chronic HCV cases and 1 chronic HBV case within a population of 78,964.

The MDHHS 2023 Surveillance Report defines chronic HCV and HBV cases as “…infections that often remain clinically silent for decades while increasing the risk for liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.”

Within the overall population for the DHD4 jurisdiction area, adults 18-39 years old make up 16,204 of that overall population statistic, according to the MDHHS. Adults 55-74 years old include 26,458 of the DHD4 coverage area. In 2023, the HCV rate for DHD4’s coverage area was 23.1, while the HBV rate was 1.3, calculated per 100,000 people.

“During Hepatitis Awareness Month…we are reminded of the importance of early detection and prevention,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, in the press release. “Many people living with hepatitis are unaware of their status, which can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. Testing is the first step toward treatment, and treatment saves lives.”

According to the press release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends HBV and HCV testing for all adults at least once in their lifetime. The CDC also recommends that all pregnant people be tested during every pregnancy.

The press release states that a person can contract HBV from blood or body fluids of a person currently infected with HBV. However, HBV is a vaccine-preventable disease. To protect against infection, the vaccine is recommended for infants, children, adolescents younger than 19 (who have not been vaccinated), adults 19-59 years old, and adults 60 years old and older (who have risk factors for HBV).

Though there is no cure for people living with HBV, the press release states that people living with HBV can receive treatment to delay or reduce the risk of developing liver cancer.

A person can be infected with HCV if blood from an HCV-infected person enters their body, according to the press release. There is no vaccine for HCV, but there are oral medications that can cure HCV.

The press release states that in 2021, MDHHS launched the We Treat Hep C Initiative to make HCV treatment financially accessible for all Michigan Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries. Enrollees, regardless of their history of substance use or liver damage, can be prescribed a full course of treatment for HCV from their healthcare provider. MDHHS launched a Hepatitis C Treatment Provider Map and Directory to assist people with locating a treatment provider near them.