Detection of Recurrent Hepatitis C Viremia Using Surveillance Data, New York City.

The introduction of direct-acting antivirals for treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has greatly improved cure rates. However, persons with past HCV infection who engage in high-risk behaviors can be reinfected. Surveillance data from the New York City (NYC) Health Department were used to detect and investigate individuals cured during January 2014 to December 2016 who had a subsequent positive RNA test (recurrence) by April 2018. Clinical interpretation of recurrence was obtained using provider interviews and review of medical records available through Regional Health Information Organizations. Among 6938 cured individuals, 209 recurrence events were detected (2.7 per 100 person-years). Investigations were completed for 62 (30%) events. Of 38 investigated events occurring less than 12 months postcure, 17 (45%) were relapses; of 24 events occurring 12 or more months postcure, only one (4%) was a relapse. Understanding the timing, frequency, and clinical interpretation of HCV recurrence will guide HCV prevention and elimination efforts for NYC.

The Hepatitis C Clinical Exchange Network: A Local Health Department Partnership With Acute Care Hospitals to Promote Screening and Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

CONTEXT: As of 2015, an estimated 116000 New York City (NYC) residents had chronic hepatitis C, many of them undiagnosed. Although effective medications have been available since 2014 with the advent of direct-acting antivirals, provider-based barriers to treatment remain. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (Health Department) coordinated the Hepatitis C Clinical Exchange Network (HepCX) from 2015 to 2019. The main goal of HepCX was to promote hepatitis C screening and treatment by hospital-based providers. PROGRAM: The Health Department recruited hepatitis C champions (Champions) from acute care hospitals (n = 40) to promote improved hepatitis C care at their institutions. The Health Department provided technical assistance for hospitals to improve electronic medical record (EMR) systems and implement reflex RNA testing, coordinated trainings to increase capacity to treat hepatitis C, and distributed dashboards containing facility-specific testing and treatment metrics. IMPLEMENTATION: By the end of the project period (2019), most hospitals (36/40; 90%) reported having a screening alert for baby boomers in their EMR system and 34 (85%) reported performing reflex RNA testing after a positive hepatitis C antibody test. The Health Department coordinated opportunities for Champions to share their work with providers from network hospitals at meetings and webinars and provided clinical education on hepatitis C treatment in partnership with a local nonprofit organization focused on liver health. Facility-specific dashboards were distributed annually to hospital leadership. RNA confirmation testing increased from an average of 57% in 2015 to 85% in 2018. Treatment initiation rates remained similar over 2 years, averaging 39% in 2017 and 38% in 2018. DISCUSSION: HepCX was a multipronged initiative designed to promote hepatitis C testing and treatment initiation among providers at NYC acute care hospitals. Improvements were observed in confirmatory testing rates; however, treatment initiation rates did not change. Further efforts should be targeted to hospitals in need of additional resources for linkage to care and treatment of hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C infection among men who have sex with men living with HIV in New York City, 2000-2015.

OBJECTIVES: To calculate the rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) with no reported history of injection drug use (IDU), and to assess whether disparities exist in HIV/HCV coinfection by race/ethnicity and neighbourhood poverty level within this population in New York City. METHODS: HIV-positive men who reported sex with men and did not report IDU at the time of HIV diagnosis, diagnosed through 2015 and alive as of 2000, were matched to people with HCV first reported to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene between 2000 and 2015. Those with HCV reported before or within 90 days of HIV infection were excluded. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was fit to compare the association between HCV diagnosis, race/ethnicity and neighbourhood poverty level. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2015, 54 488 non-IDU MSM were diagnosed with HIV, of whom 2762 (5.1%) were diagnosed with HCV after HIV diagnosis, yielding an overall age-adjusted HCV diagnosis rate of 512 per 100 000 person-years. HIV/HCV coinfection was significantly higher among non-Latino blacks (adjusted HR (aHR)=1.24, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.40) compared with non-Latino whites and among persons living in high-poverty neighbourhoods compared with those in low-poverty neighbourhoods (aHR=1.17, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.35) after stratification by year of HIV diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Disparities in HIV/HCV coinfection among HIV-positive MSM were observed by race/ethnicity and neighbourhood poverty level. Routine HCV screening is recommended for people infected with HIV. People coinfected with HIV and HCV should be linked to HCV care, treated and cured to reduce morbidity and mortality, and to avoid ongoing HCV transmission.

COVID-19 Outbreak - New York City, February 29-June 1, 2020.

New York City (NYC) was an epicenter of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States during spring 2020 (1). During March-May 2020, approximately 203,000 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). To obtain more complete data, DOHMH used supplementary information sources and relied on direct data importation and matching of patient identifiers for data on hospitalization status, the occurrence of death, race/ethnicity, and presence of underlying medical conditions. The highest rates of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths were concentrated in communities of color, high-poverty areas, and among persons aged ≥75 years or with underlying conditions. The crude fatality rate was 9.2% overall and 32.1% among hospitalized patients. Using these data to prevent additional infections among NYC residents during subsequent waves of the pandemic, particularly among those at highest risk for hospitalization and death, is critical. Mitigating COVID-19 transmission among vulnerable groups at high risk for hospitalization and death is an urgent priority. Similar to NYC, other jurisdictions might find the use of supplementary information sources valuable in their efforts to prevent COVID-19 infections.

Development and Validation of Surveillance-Based Algorithms to Estimate Hepatitis C Treatment and Cure in New York City.

CONTEXT: Treatment options for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) have improved in recent years. The burden of HCV in New York City (NYC) is high. Measuring treatment and cure among NYC residents with HCV infection will allow the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to appropriately plan interventions, allocate resources, and identify disparities to combat the hepatitis C epidemic in NYC. OBJECTIVE: To validate algorithms designed to estimate treatment and cure of HCV using RNA test results reported through routine surveillance. DESIGN: Investigation by NYC DOHMH to determine the true treatment and cure status of HCV-infected individuals using chart review and HCV test data. Treatment and cure status as determined by investigation are compared with the status determined by the algorithms. SETTING: New York City health care facilities. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 250 individuals with HCV reported to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) prior to March 2016 randomly selected from 15 health care facilities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The sensitivity and specificity of the algorithms. RESULTS: Of 235 individuals successfully investigated, 161 (69%) initiated treatment and 96 (41%) achieved cure since the beginning of 2014. The treatment algorithm had a sensitivity of 93.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.2%-97.1%) and a specificity of 83.8% (95% CI, 75.3%-92.2%). The cure algorithm had a sensitivity of 93.8% (95% CI, 88.9%-98.6%) and a specificity of 89.4% (95% CI, 83.5%-95.4%). Applying the algorithms to 68 088 individuals with HCV reported to DOHMH between July 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016, 28 392 (41.7%) received treatment and 16 921 (24.9%) were cured. CONCLUSIONS: The algorithms developed by DOHMH are able to accurately identify HCV treatment and cure using only routinely reported surveillance data. Such algorithms can be used to measure treatment and cure jurisdiction-wide and will be vital for monitoring and addressing HCV. NYC DOHMH will apply these algorithms to surveillance data to monitor treatment and cure rates at city-wide and programmatic levels, and use the algorithms to measure progress towards defined treatment and cure targets for the city.

Telephone Patient Navigation Increases Follow-Up Hepatitis B Care in the Postpartum Period for Immigrants Living in New York City.

Hepatitis B is a major public health threat which leads to serious liver disease or cancer and disproportionately impacts immigrants. Pregnant people are routinely tested for hepatitis B to prevent perinatal transmission but may themselves not receive appropriate education and referrals. People contacted as part of the local health department's perinatal hepatitis B prevention program were offered culturally appropriate telephone patient navigation services to test if this would improve adherence with postpartum hepatitis B care. Four-hundred and nine people were enrolled in the intervention. Using laboratory-reported surveillance data as the outcome measure, those receiving the intervention were 1.66 times as likely to see a hepatitis B care provider within 6 months of childbirth compared with those who did not. Culturally appropriate patient navigation can improve adherence with recommended hepatitis B care in the postpartum period. Health departments can use similar interventions to address liver health disparities in immigrant populations.

Residues in Brandt's voles (Microtus brandti) exposed to bromadiolone-impregnated baits in Mongolia.

In 2002, hundreds of non-target wildlife deaths occurred in Mongolia following aerial applications of bromadiolone, an anticoagulant rodenticide, to control eruptive Brandt's vole (Microtus brandti) populations. To clarify whether secondary poisoning could have contributed to these deaths, a field study was undertaken in Mongolia to measure bromadiolone residues in voles following exposure to two concentrations (50 and 500 mg/kg) of bromadiolone-treated wheat. The two treatments produced different total burdens (2.65 microg+/-0.53SE and 13.70 microg+/-3.82SE, respectively) and liver burdens (1.74 microg+/-0.33SE and 8.81 microg+/-2.33SE, respectively) of bromadiolone in voles (both p<0.05). Total burdens of bromadiolone in voles found dead above ground were higher than those of live-trapped voles (32.35 microg+/-17.98SE versus 5.18 microg+/-1.40SE, respectively; p<0.05). These results are valuable for future assessments of secondary poisoning risk to scavengers and predators from large-scale bromadiolone poisoning operations of the type undertaken in Mongolia.

Impact of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommendation and State Law on Birth Cohort Hepatitis C Screening of New York City Medicaid Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that, during 1999-2008, people born in 1945-1965 (the baby boomer generation) represented approximately 75% of people infected with hepatitis C virus and 73% of hepatitis C virus-associated deaths and are at greatest risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver disease. In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended one-time hepatitis C virus screening for people born during 1945-1965. In addition, New York State enacted a Hepatitis C Virus Testing Law in 2014. This analysis assesses the impacts of the 2012 recommendation and 2014 New York State Testing Law on hepatitis C virus screening rates among New York City Medicaid-enrolled recipients born during 1945-1965. METHODS: The eligible population was determined quarterly as the number of Medicaid recipients continuously enrolled for 12 months with neither a prior hepatitis C virus diagnosis nor antibody test since 2005. Quarterly screening rates during 2010-2017 were examined using interrupted time series analysis. Data were analyzed in 2018-2019. RESULTS: In 2010-2017, the highest screening rate occurred in the quarter immediately after the law (33.64 per 1,000 Medicaid recipients). There was no change in screening rates after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation and a significant increase after the New York State Law, which was not sustained. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C virus screening rates increased in the quarter after the 2014 New York State Hepatitis C Virus Testing Law became effective. Additional efforts are needed to screen baby boomers and people who were recently infected with hepatitis C virus related to opioid use.

Health Department Efforts to Increase Hepatitis C RNA Testing Among People Appearing Out of Care: Comparison of Outreach Approaches, New York City, 2017.

OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious health problem in New York City. Although curative treatments are available, many people are out of care. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) used surveillance data and various outreach methods to attempt to link to care people diagnosed with HCV infection from 2010 through 2015. METHODS: We randomly assigned people out of care (ie, no HCV test >6 months after first report) to 4 outreach groups: no outreach (control group); letter only; letter and telephone call; and letter, text message, and telephone call. Three months after outreach ended, we analyzed surveillance data to identify people with a subsequent HCV RNA or genotype test suggesting linkage to care. RESULTS: Of 2626 selected people, 199 (7.6%) had a subsequent HCV test. People in all 3 outreach groups had higher odds of a subsequent test than people in the control group (letter only: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.81 [95% CI, 1.18-2.91]; letter and telephone: aOR = 3.11 [95% CI, 1.67-5.79]; letter, text, and telephone: aOR = 3.17 [95% CI, 1.48-6.51]). People in the letter and telephone group had higher odds of a subsequent test than people in the letter-only group (aOR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.04-2.74). Most people in the letter and telephone (136/200, 68.0%) and the letter, text, and telephone (71/99, 71.7%) groups could not be reached, primarily because telephone numbers were incorrect or out of service. CONCLUSION: Reaching out to people soon after first report or prioritizing groups in which more recent contact information can be found might improve outcomes of future outreach.

The hepatitis C virus care cascade in the New York City jail system during the direct acting antiviral treatment era, 2014-2017.

BACKGROUND: High patient turnover presents challenges and opportunity to provide hepatitis C virus (HCV) care in US jails (remand facilities). This study describes the HCV care cascade in the New York City (NYC) jail system during the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment era. METHODS: Patients admitted to the NYC jail system from January 2014 through December 2017 were included in this retrospective cohort analysis. We describe rates of screening, diagnosis, linkage to jail-based care, and treatment among the overall cohort, and among subgroups with long jail stays (≥120 days) or frequent stays (≥10 admissions). The study protocol was approved by a third-party institutional review board (BRANY, Lake Success, NY). FINDINGS: Among the 121,371 patients in our analysis, HCV screening was performed in 40,219 (33%), 4665 (12%) of whom were viremic, 1813 (39%) seen by an HCV clinician in jail, and 248 (5% of viremic patients) started on treatment in jail. Having a long stay (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 8·11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6·98, 9·42) or frequent stays (aRR 1·51, 95% CI 1·04, 2·18) were significantly associated with being seen by an HCV clinician. Patients with long stays had a higher rate of treatment (14% of viremic patients). Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks was achieved in 147/164 (90%) of patients with available virologic data. INTERPRETATION: Jail health systems can reach large numbers of HCV-infected individuals. The high burden of HCV argues for universal screening in jail settings. Length of stay was strongly associated with being seen by an HCV clinician in jail. Treatment is feasible among those with longer lengths of stay. FUNDING: None.

Outcomes of Hepatitis C Virus Treatment in the New York City Jail Population: Successes and Challenges Facing Scale up of Care.

BACKGROUND: The population detained in the New York City (NYC) jail system bears a high burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Challenges to scaling up treatment include short and unpredictable lengths of stay. We report on the clinical outcomes of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment delivered by NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services in NYC jails from 2014 to 2017. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of HCV patients with detectable HCV ribonucleic acid treated with DAA therapy while in NYC jails. Some patients initiated treatment in jail, whereas others initiated treatment in the community and were later incarcerated. Our primary outcome was sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12). RESULTS: There were 269 patients included in our cohort, with 181 (67%) initiating treatment in jail and 88 (33%) continuing treatment started in the community. The SVR12 virologic outcome data were available for 195 (72%) individuals. Of these, 172 (88%) achieved SVR12. Patients who completed treatment in jail were more likely to achieve SVR12 relative to those who were released on treatment (adjusted risk ratio, 2.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-6.34). Of those who achieved SVR12, 114 (66%) had a subsequent viral load checked. We detected recurrent viremia in 18 (16%) of these individuals, which corresponded to 10.6 cases per 100 person-years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C virus treatment with DAA therapy is effective in a jail environment. Future work should address challenges related to discharging patients while they are on treatment, loss to follow-up, and a high incidence of probable reinfection.

Surveillance-Based Estimate of the Prevalence of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection, New York City, 2016.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a lifelong infection that can cause serious liver damage and liver cancer. The last surveillance-based prevalence estimate of chronic HBV infection in New York City was 1.2% in 2008; however, it did not account for persons with undiagnosed infection. The objective of this study was to calculate the prevalence of chronic HBV infection, including undiagnosed infection, for 2016 by using surveillance data and literature-based information. METHODS: We calculated the number of persons with diagnosed chronic HBV infection (2000-2016) who were alive and living in New York City in 2016 by using routine surveillance data. We estimated the percentage of persons with undiagnosed chronic HBV infection by using birth region-specific percentages from the literature, weighted by the proportion of the New York City population with diagnosed chronic HBV infection from the same birth region. We identified minimum, maximum, and most likely values for the percentage with undiagnosed chronic HBV infection to generate 95% certainty limits (CLs) of the prevalence estimate. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic HBV infection in 2016, including undiagnosed infection, in New York City was 2.7% (95% CL, 2.2%-3.6%), representing approximately 230 000 persons. The prevalence of diagnosed chronic HBV infection was 1.5%. The estimated prevalence among non-US-born residents was 6.9% (95% CL, 5.4%-8.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The current burden of chronic HBV infection in New York City, especially for non-US-born residents, is substantial. A renewed focus and dedication of resources is required to increase the number of new diagnoses and improve provider capacity to care for the large number of persons with chronic HBV infection.

Evaluating reimbursement of integrated support services using chronic care management (CCM) codes for treatment of hepatitis C among Medicare beneficiaries.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) implemented Project INSPIRE, an integrated model of hepatitis C care coordination and telementoring services, from 2014 to 2017. We evaluated the use of chronic care management (CCM) codes to sustain the intervention. DOHMH data were collected as part of a Healthcare Innovation Award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). A retrospective cohort medical billing study was conducted by assigning INSPIRE activities to procedure codes in both facility and nonfacility settings. Rates for procedures were extracted from the CMS's 2018 fee schedules and added across the eligibility periods for Medicare enrollees. Reimbursement was adjusted on the basis of expected patient attrition and compared to costs. The minimum number needed to treat (NNT) to break even was calculated in each setting. Facility reimbursement was higher than costs, whereas nonfacility reimbursement was lower (both P < .01). The NNT was 23 patients in facilities and 33 patients in nonfacilities; 24 patients per care coordinator were treated annually in INSPIRE. CCM fees alone were insufficient to fully reimburse the costs in either setting. Implementation of an appropriate risk financing strategy is necessary to mitigate financial shortfalls when providing CCM services in facility settings.

Public Health Management of Persons Under Investigation for Ebola Virus Disease in New York City, 2014-2016.

During 2014-2016, the largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in history occurred in West Africa. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) worked with health care providers to prepare for persons under investigation (PUIs) for EVD in New York City. From July 1, 2014, through December 29, 2015, we classified as a PUI a person with EVD-compatible signs or symptoms and an epidemiologic risk factor within 21 days before illness onset. Of 112 persons who met PUI criteria, 74 (66%) sought medical care and 49 (44%) were hospitalized. The remaining 38 (34%) were isolated at home with daily contact by DOHMH staff members. Thirty-two (29%) PUIs received a diagnosis of malaria. Of 10 PUIs tested, 1 received a diagnosis of EVD. Home isolation minimized unnecessary hospitalization. This case study highlights the importance of developing competency among clinical and public health staff managing persons suspected to be infected with a high-consequence pathogen.

A Surveillance-Based Hepatitis C Care Cascade, New York City, 2017.

OBJECTIVES: The care cascade, a method for tracking population-level progression from diagnosis to cure, is an important tool in addressing and monitoring the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic. However, little agreement exists on appropriate care cascade steps or how best to measure them. The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) sought to construct a care cascade by using laboratory surveillance data with clinically relevant categories that can be readily updated over time. METHODS: We identified all NYC residents ever reported to the DOHMH surveillance registry with HCV through June 30, 2017 (n = 175 896). To account for outmigration, death, or treatment before negative RNA results became reportable to the health department, we limited the population to people with any test reported since July 1, 2014. Of these residents, we identified the proportion with a reported positive RNA test and estimated the proportion treated and cured since July 2014 by using DOHMH-developed surveillance-based algorithms. RESULTS: Of 78 886 NYC residents ever receiving a diagnosis of HCV and tested since July 1, 2014, a total of 70 397 (89.2%) had ever been reported as RNA positive through June 30, 2017; 36 875 (46.7%) had initiated treatment since July 1, 2014, and 23 766 (30.1%) appeared cured during the same period. CONCLUSION: A substantial gap exists between confirming HCV infection and initiating treatment, even in the era of direct-acting antivirals. Using this cascade, we will monitor progress in improved treatment and cure of HCV in NYC.

Effect of Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Mortality Among Individuals With Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C Infection in New York City, 2001-2012.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complication of chronic hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infection. New York City (NYC) has a high prevalence of HBV and HCV, and infected persons likely face increased mortality from HCC and other causes. We describe the mortality profile of NYC residents with HBV or HCV, emphasizing the contributions of HCC and HIV coinfection. METHODS: Two existing data sets were combined to examine all individuals diagnosed with HBV or HCV in NYC first reported to the Health Department during 2001-2012 and their HCC, HIV, and vital status. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of HCC diagnosis by viral hepatitis status, whereas Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate the hazard of death by HCC/HIV status. RESULTS: In total, 120 952 and 127 933 individuals were diagnosed with HBV or HCV, respectively. HCV-infected individuals had 17% higher odds of HCC diagnosis than HBV-infected individuals and 3.2 times higher odds of HIV coinfection. Those with HCV were twice as likely to die during the study period (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.96-2.12). The risk of death increased for those with HIV or HCC and was highest for those with both conditions. CONCLUSIONS: HCC and HIV represent substantial risks to survival for both HBV- and HCV-infected individuals. Individuals with HBV need close monitoring and treatment, when indicated, and routine HCC screening. Those with HCV need increased, timely access to curative medications before developing liver disease.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment interruption in New York City.

SETTING: Large urban tuberculosis control program. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and characteristics of treatment interruptions, and the factors associated with the different types of treatment interruptions. DESIGN: This was a case-control study using culture-positive tuberculosis (TB) patients verified in 1998-1999. Case patients included those in whom any of the following mutually exclusive categories of treatment interruption: default with return to therapy, directly observed therapy nonadherence, default without return to therapy, or multiple types of interruptions. Controls were selected randomly from the cohort. RESULTS: Overall, 6.0 percent of patients had treatment interruptions. All types of treatment interruption were associated with prolonged treatment course and decreased treatment completion rates. The median number of months to treatment interruption was 4.0 (range, 0.5-28.9 months). Two factors were significantly associated with every type of interruption: homelessness and lack of awareness of the severity of TB disease. In multivariate analysis, only lack of awareness of the severity of disease remained independently associated with all interruption types. CONCLUSION: Efforts to improve patients' understanding of TB disease and related treatment issues may be an important TB control program strategy and should be emphasized at the initiation of therapy and at intervals throughout the treatment course to minimize treatment interruption.