Bad HCV trouble in ND

These news stories are so discouraging.  The new HCV cluster in ND may be another possible healthcare associated infection.  A Minot nursing home investigation is being studied according to one report.

State Updates Info on Hepatitis C Outbreak

BISMARCK, ND – On October 17, 2013, the North Dakota Department of Health received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that testing had been completed on blood samples from additional individuals in the hepatitis C outbreak investigation in Ward County. The CDC has confirmed that 21 additional cases are related to the seven cases that had previously been identified, bringing the total number of related cases to 28. In addition, as the investigation progresses more people will likely be tested. 

According to Tracy Miller, State Epidemiologist with the North Dakota Department of Health, the state is receiving assistance in this investigation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC personnel are in Minot to assist state investigators. As this investigation proceeds, the Department of Health will continue to provide updates to the public as to the course of the investigation.

I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this in the weeks ahead as further test results are revealed.  In 2010, North Dakota had a population of  672,591.  Some airman reading this may have been on duty at Minot Air Force Base.

“There were 48 cases of chronic hepatitis B, zero cases of acute hepatitis B, zero cases of acute hepatitis A and 543 cases of hepatitis C reported in North Dakota in 2011.”

The Twitter account is here: https://twitter.com/NDDOH