The ABCs of Hepatitis 

Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 4.25 to 8.2 million people in the United States are living with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) or chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. About 850,000 to 2.2 million people have HBV, and an additional 3.4 to 6 million people have chronic HCV. It is estimated that 45 to 85% of persons with HCV are unaware of their infection.

All identified forms of viral hepatitis are reportable to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) as mandated by Iowa Code section 139A.3. Due to the infectious nature of each form of viral hepatitis, it is necessary that each case be reported so that prevention and control efforts may be initiated by IDPH. For more information on reporting, visit here.