National policy on Hepatitis B at the Workplace Press conference 17 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 ³8% - High 2-7% - Intermediate <2% - Low 36

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

Hepatitis B Symptoms 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 Infections Asymptomatic Cases 50% Symptomatic Cases 50% Clear Virus; Healthy 90-94% Death 0.05% Hepatitis B Chronic Carriers 6-10% Chronic Liver Disease Death from Cirrhosis 1.7% Death-Primary Liver Cancer 0.4%

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 Low Potential risk of acquiring HB from others Negligible

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 Low Encouraged to receive HB vaccine and do immunity test Negligible HB vaccine after risk assessment