At a glance
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C outbreaks can occur in the community through person-to-person transmission and in health care settings. Hepatitis A outbreaks can occur from different sources and spread through either foodborne or person-to-person transmission. Learn more about resources available for investigation, summaries of outbreaks that have been investigated, and support available from CDC.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C
Outbreaks
- Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Health Care-Related Outbreaks
- CDC received reports of 66 outbreaks of viral hepatitis related to health care from 2008-2019.
Tools and resources
- Health care-associated outbreak investigation toolkit
- The resources in this toolkit are designed to help CDC and partners ensure rapid and coordinated surveillance, detection, and response to hepatitis outbreaks.
- Reporting Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infections in Repeat Blood Donors
- This page provides information on reporting incident infections in repeat blood donors.
- Viral Hepatitis Among People Who Use or Inject Drugs
- Among risk behaviors and exposures identified for reported cases of acute HCV infection in 2023, injection drug use was most commonly reported.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A transmission can occur through close personal contact with a person who is infected with the virus. Most recently, this has occurred among people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and men who have sex with men.
Person-to-person transmission
- Hepatitis A Outbreaks Linked to Person-to-Person Contact
- CDC has received reports of more than 44,900 cases of hepatitis A linked to outbreaks in 37 states during 2016-2023.
Foodborne transmission
- Hepatitis A Outbreak in 2023 Linked to Frozen Organic Strawberries
- CDC received reports of 10 cases of hepatitis A linked to this multistate outbreak.
- Hepatitis A Outbreak in 2022 Linked to Fresh Organic Strawberries
- CDC received reports of 19 cases of hepatitis A linked to this multistate outbreak.
For a full list of recent hepatitis A outbreaks, visit Recent Hepatitis A Outbreaks.
Support from CDC
CDC is always available for support and consultation.
Laboratory support
DVH laboratory branch performs routine serologic and state-of-the-art molecular methodologies on clinical samples collected from those affected.
Investigation support
A DVH epidemiologist coordinates all outbreak investigation-related activities.
Contact CDC
CDC staff members are always available for consultation. Email CDC staff at viralhepatitisoutbreak@cdc.gov.