National policy on Hepatitis B at the Workplace

Press conference17 November 2009

Hepatitis B

What is it? Hep B is a serious disease caused by

a virus that infects the liver Can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis

(liver scarring), liver cancer, liver failure and death

Geographical distribution

HBsAg Prevalence

8% - High

2-7% - Intermediate

<2% - Low

Hepatitis B

Incubation period 60-90 days on average (range 45-180

days) infectious weeks before getting ill and

for variable period after acute infection

chronic carriers remain infectious

Nausea Loss of appetite Vomiting Fatigue Fever

Dark urine Pale stool Jaundice Stomach pain Side pain

A person may have all, some or none of these

Hepatitis B Symptoms

Hepatitis B Infections

Asymptomatic Cases50%

Symptomatic Cases50%

Death0.05%

Chronic Liver Disease

Death from Cirrhosis1.7%

Death-Primary Liver Cancer 0.4%

Hepatitis B Chronic Carriers6-10%

Clear Virus; Healthy90-94%

Hepatitis B transmission

How do you get it? Direct contact with blood or body fluids

of an infected person sharing injection equipment sex baby from infected mother during

childbirth

Hepatitis B is not spread by food, water or casual contact

Hepatitis B carriers

Who is a carrier of Hep B virus? Some people with Hep B never fully

recover from the infection (chronic infection)

They still carry the virus and can infect others for the rest of their lives

Hepatitis B prevention

Hepatitis B vaccine: Safe Effective: >90% of recipient become

immune Recommended for workers with jobs

where exposure to blood might happen

Mandatory for

Hepatitis B policy

Employer responsibilities

Ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees who may be exposed to blood or body fluids Risk assessment Vaccination Protective equipment Medical care for exposure incidents

Employee responsibilities

Ethical & legal obligations to safeguard their health and that of their clients

If they have any reasons to believe they may have been exposed to infection with a blood-borne virus including HBV, should promptly seek & comply with confidential professional advice

Hepatitis B policy:risk categories

High Significant risk of acquiring HB from others Potential to spread HB if a carrier

Intermediate Significant risk of acquiring HB from others

Low Potential risk of acquiring HB from others

Negligible Potential risk of acquiring HB from others

Hepatitis B policy: action requirements

High Must receive HB vaccine and do immunity test If immunity test negative, tested for HB virus If found to be a carrier, cannot perform exposure

prone procedures Intermediate

Must receive HB vaccine and do immunity test Low

Encouraged to receive HB vaccine and do immunity test

Negligible HB vaccine after risk assessment