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May was Hepatitis awareness month. Viral hepatitis is a hidden epidemic, with millions of people living with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the US and many unaware of their infection. There are safe and effective vaccines available to protect against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). While there is no vaccine for hepatitis C virus (HCV), antiviral treatment is available and can cure the disease. HAV and HBV vaccinations are recommended as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule, with catch up vaccine recommendations through age 18. Additionally, it is now recommended that all adults ages 19-59 years should receive a full hepatitis B vaccine series and adults aged 60 and older with risk factors should also be vaccinated.
To complement new vaccine recommendations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that all adults be screened for HBV at least once in their lifetime. For more information on vaccine and screening recommendations for hepatitis, visit the following Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR):
Now is a great time to promote vaccination and screening for hepatitis. For more information, visit Hepatitis.
So far, in 2025, Minnesota has had ten confirmed cases of mpox. It is important for health care providers to consider mpox in patients with an unexplained rash illness, especially in persons at high risk for mpox such as men who have sex with men. Many commercial laboratories offer mpox testing, and the Minnesota Department of Health Public Health Lab (MDH-PHL) provides free testing. Also consider testing for other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Offer the 2-dose series of Jynneos mpox vaccine to persons at high risk of mpox infection.
For more information on mpox testing and vaccination, visit Mpox Information For Health Professionals and CDC: Vaccines & Immunizations: Adult Immunization Schedule Notes. Report suspected cases of mpox to MDH at 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414.
Summer is a busy time for travel. There are currently many outbreaks of measles happening globally, including in the United States. Ask your patients about their upcoming travel plans and make sure they are up to date on the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
For international travelers:
- Infants 6 through 11 months old can receive an early dose of MMR. This does not count toward their 2-dose series.
- Children ages 1 to 4 years can receive an early second dose of MMR as long as there are 28 days between dose 1 and dose 2.
- Adults born in or after 1957 who do not have evidence of measles immunity should receive 2 doses of MMR.
For US domestic travelers to measles outbreak-affected areas:
Anyone traveling to an outbreak area should match the guidance of the state or local health department for residents in the outbreak-affected community. For more information on local guidance in US outbreak areas, visit CDC: Measles (Rubeola): Measles Cases and Outbreaks.
When patients return from travel, consider measles as a possible diagnosis if they have symptoms consistent with measles disease such as cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, fever, and rash. If you suspect your patient has measles immediately notify MDH at 651-201-5414.
MDH’s "Think Measles" poster is a great reminder for clinic staff and patients on how to stay healthy while traveling. It is available in 13 languages at Think Measles. For more measles travel messages, visit Minnesota Health Communications Initiative.
PCR testing is the preferred test for suspected measles cases. MDH-PHL provides measles PCR testing free of charge. Testing is done Monday through Friday with a quick result turnaround time. If you are going to test for measles, remember that it is crucial to contact MDH to report the suspected measles case at time of specimen collection so that public health has that information prior to a confirmatory laboratory result. There is a limited amount of time that post-exposure prophylaxis can be recommended, having information on suspected cases helps public health be able to quickly respond if a patient tests positive.
Information about submitting a specimen to MDH-PHL for measles PCR testing can be found at Measles Information for Health Professionals.
Providers should contact MDH at 651.201.5414 24/7 to report a suspect measles case.
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