Brief Report: Hepatitis B Infection in Canada: at A Glance

Brief Report: Hepatitis B Infection in Canada
At a Glance Introduction
X The absolute numbers and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects the liver. HBV can result in subclinical
corresponding rates of reported cases or asymptomatic infection, acute hepatitis or fulminant hepatitis
of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection requiring liver transplantation. HBV is a DNA virus, with a core
reported to the Public Health Agency of antigen (HBcAg) surrounded by a coat containing surface antigen
Canada through the Canadian Notifiable (HBsAg). This virus is about 100 times more infectious than HIV.
Disease Surveillance System (CNDSS)
are decreasing, particularly among age Chronic hepatitis B remains a serious public health concern
groups for whom recommendations for worldwide. Globally, it is estimated that two billion people worldwide
routine HBV immunization have applied. have serologic evidence of past or present HBV infection, and 360
X The reported incidence rate of acute million are chronically infected and at risk for HBV-related liver
hepatitis B appears to be decreasing disease. Approximately one third of all cases of liver cirrhosis and
as indicated by the Enhanced Hepatitis
half of all cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be attributed
Strain Surveillance System (EHSSS).
to chronic HBV infection. HBV is estimated to be responsible for
X Over the last 4 years, the declining
500,000 to 700,000 deaths annually [1].
trend seems to have been halted among
people aged 0 to 24 years, although 68% Acute HBV infection is usually asymptomatic among infants and
of these acute hepatitis B cases reported young children. Over 95% of infants and 90% of children between
during this period corresponded to non-
one and five years of age do not develop symptoms. However,
Canadian-born people.
approximately 30% to 50% of adolescents and adults develop
X Between 1999 and 2008, reported rates
clinical symptoms such as jaundice. Age at infection is one of the
of acute hepatitis B were three times
higher for Aboriginal peoples compared most important factors influencing the probability of developing
to non-Aboriginal peoples. chronic HBV infection. The risk of subsequent chronic hepatitis B
X Sexual transmission appears to be the is about 90% for infants, 25% to 50% for children aged one to five
most common route of HBV infection, years, 5% to 10% for adolescents, and 1% to 5% for adults. After
although injection drug use (IDU) several decades, 20% to 25% of HBsAg-positive carriers will develop
and drug snorting also contribute cirrhosis and about 5% to 6% will develop HCC [2].
substantially to infection rates.
HBV is transmitted through percutaneous or mucosal contact with
infectious biological fluids. Therefore, most infections can happen
when body fluids including blood, blood products of an infected
person enter the body of a person who is not protected against the
virus. HBV has also been found in semen. Infection routes include
sexual contact with an infected person and exposure to needle sticks
and other ‘sharps’ which have been contaminated with HBV (this
includes people who use injection drugs). It can also be passed from
mother to newborn infant at the time of birth (vertical transmission).
Prevention of HBV Prevalence of HBV

Infection in Canada Infection in Canada
Prevention of vertically transmitted HBV The prevalence of HBV infection may vary among
All pregnant women in Canada are required to test for population subgroups in Canada. In previous studies of
HBsAg during prenatal visits or at the time of delivery selected populations in Canada, HBsAg seroprevalence
[7]. All infants born to infected mothers must be given the rates were estimated to be between 0.24% to 0.47% in
initial dose of HBV vaccine within 12 hours of birth [7]. people aged 14 to 30 years from a Northern Ontario town
The second and third doses of the vaccine series should [3]. These rates were estimated to be 5% to 15% in adults
be administered 1 month and 6 months after the first dose from Southeast Asia [4], and 0.1% to 0.5% in Canadian
[7]. However, these strategies may fail to prevent vertical first-time blood donors [5]. In a 1995 survey of 1200
transmission in some cases [8]. These include the 2% school children aged 8 to 10 years in Québec, none were
to 10% of infected infants who acquired HBV infection found to be positive for HBsAg, or antibody to the HBV
in utero; those with a high maternal HBV-DNA level; or core antigen [6].
those with HBsAg-mutant infection which may not be
prevented by HBV vaccination [8]. Routine Minimum HBV
HBV Immunization Surveillance In Canada
HBV infection has been reportable through the Canadian
The Canadian Hepatitis B Working Group recommended
Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (CNDSS)
a universal HBV vaccination program for preadolescents
since 1969. Physicians are required to report clinically
[7]. Since the early 1990s, all provinces and territories
diagnosed HBV infection cases (with or without
(P/T) have implemented a universal school-based HBV
laboratory confirmation) to their local health authority.
vaccination program aimed at preadolescents aged nine
Cases that meet the HBV infection surveillance case
to 13 years [9]. High completion rates (78% to 97%) have
definition are officially reported to P/T public health
been reported [10, 11]. These programs could prevent
authorities [15]. Local laboratories are also required
63% of acute HBV infection and 47% of the chronic HBV
to report laboratory-confirmed HBV infection cases to
infection in Canada [12].
provincial laboratories, which in turn report the cases to
In Canada, HBV vaccination is recommended for all both local and P/T public health authorities. Aggregate
individuals who are at increased risk of HBV infection data on HBV infection from all P/Ts are sent to the
(i.e. IDU, persons with high-risk sexual behaviour). This Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on a regular
strategy has several limitations. Risk factors cannot be basis. However, reporting practices across P/Ts remain
identified for about 25% of acute HBV infections [13] and inconsistent because some jurisdictions report only
there is poor compliance to the HBV vaccine schedule in acute HBV infection cases, while others report acute and
risk groups [14]. indeterminate HBV infection cases together. Since 2004,
Despite the vast population of infected individuals, efforts chronic HBV infection cases are also being reported by
to prevent and control HBV have met with increasing some P/Ts. Efforts to investigate and remove duplicate
levels of success and hold promise for large reduction in HBV infection cases vary across jurisdictions. In addition,
disease burden in the future. risk factor information is not collected, and the case-by-
case reporting utilized by some P/Ts does not contain
standardized data elements.
2
The rate of reported acute and indeterminate HBV Table 1: Number and rates of reported
infection cases decreased in all age groups, particularly acute, indeterminate and chronic/carrier
among age groups for whom recommendations for
routine vaccination have applied.
HBV infection cases in Canada, CNDSS,
1990-2008*
XX
Overall, the rates of reported acute and indeterminate
HBV infection cases declined significantly from Number of Reported Cases Rate per 100,000
(based on Acute
10.8 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1990, to 1.7 per
Acute, Chronic/ and Indeterminate
100,000 inhabitants in 2008 (Table 1 and Figure 1). Year Indeterminate Carrier cases only)
XX
The average rate of reported acute and indeterminate 1990 3001 N/A 10.8
HBV infection cases per 100,000 inhabitants among
1991 2622 N/A 9.4
males was 5.0 (range 2.2-13.8), compared with 2.5
(range 1.2-7.5) among females (Figure 2). 1992 1949 N/A 6.9
XX
During the period 1990-2008, the reported rate of 1993 1734 N/A 6.1
acute and indeterminate HBV infection cases among 1994 1675 N/A 5.8
children aged 10 to 19 years declined 90%, from 5.8 1995 1398 N/A 4.8
cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 1990 to 0.6 cases per
1996 1227 N/A 4.1
100,000 inhabitants in 2008 (Figure 3). The greatest
decrease occurred among the cohort of children to 1997 1017 N/A 3.4
whom the recommendations for routine vaccina- 1998 940 N/A 3.1
tion have applied.
1999 795 N/A 2.6
XX
Although the rate of reported infections also has de-
2000 742 N/A 2.4
clined among persons aged 20 to 39 years, rates in this
age group still remained substantially higher than in 2001 596 N/A 1.9
any other age groups (Figure 3). 2002 579 N/A 1.9
XX
Since 2004, some jurisdictions also report chronic/ 2003 588 N/A 1.8
carrier HBV infection cases to the CNDSS. These cases
2004 863 64 2.7
do not represent new infections and therefore have not
been used to calculate yearly rates (shown in Table 1, 2005 712 740 2.2
Figures 1, 2 & 3) in this update. 2006 591 966 1.8
2007 602 907 1.8
2008 582 1429 1.7
N/A: Not Available

* Data as of April, 2011
3
Figure 1: Reported rates of acute and indeterminate HBV infection cases by year in
Canada, CNDSS, 1990-2008
12
Rate per 100,000 inhabitants
10
0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Year of Diagnosis
Figure 2: Reported rates of acute and indeterminate HBV infection cases by gender and
year, CNDSS 1990-2008
15 Female
Male
12
0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Year of Diagnosis
4
Figure 3: Reported rates of acute and indeterminate HBV infection cases by age group
and year, CNDSS, 1990-2008
20
40+
20-39
15 10-19
0-9
10
0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Year of Diagnosis
Comprehensive HBV surveillance XX

Overall, incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants
were 2.8 times higher among males (range 0.79-1.51)
To overcome some of the reporting limitations associated than among females (range 0.19-0.53), and gender-
with the CNDSS, the Enhanced Hepatitis Strain specific trends in incidence paralleled the overall
Surveillance System (EHSSS) was established by PHAC’s trends (Figure 5).
Blood Safety Surveillance and Health Care-Associated
XX
There was a significant difference in terms of the
Infections Division, in 1998. As of April 2011, 11 sites
age-specific patterns of acute HBV infection between
across Canada were participating in the EHSSS. These
males and females. Among males, the highest cumula-
national sites span Western Canada, the Northwest
tive incidence rate of acute HBV infection was ob-
Territories, Ontario and Québec, involving English- and
served in people aged 35 to 44 years. However, among
French-speaking populations and diverse ethnic groups.
females, the highest rate was observed in people aged
These regions cover approximately 41% of the Canadian
25 to 34 years (Figure 6).
population. Based on the 2006 Canadian census, the
proportions of non-Canadian-born people and Aboriginal XX
During the period 2005-2010, incidence rates of the
people in the 11 sites were 29.3% and 3.1%, respectively. disease per 100,000 inhabitants among age groups
Data presented here were collected by the EHSSS from 0 to 14 and 15 to 24 years were less than 0.4, and a
January 1, 2005 through September 30, 2010. Risk factor decline in the incidence was observed in age groups
information is available for 64.7% of the 405 cases of 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 years (Figure 7). Over the last 4
acute HBV infection reported to the EHSSS during this years, the declining trend observed among age groups
time period. 0 to 14 and 15 to 24 years during the first 10 years of
the program seems to have been halted, although 13 of
The reported rate of acute HBV infection appears to be
these 19 cases reported corresponded to non-Canadian
decreasing.
born people (Table 2 and Figure 7).
XX
The incidence rate of reported acute HBV infection
XX
The majority of reported acute HBV infection occurred
declined from 0.97 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2005
in individuals aged 25 to 54 years. Between January
to 0.49 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2010 (Figure 4).
2005 and September 2010, 77.5% of identified acute
HBV infections were diagnosed in people aged between
25 and 54 years (Figure 8).
5
Figure 4: Incidence rates1 of reported acute HBV infection by year, EHSSS, 2005-20102,3
1.5
Incidence rate per 100,000
1.2
0.9
0.6
0.3
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Year of Diagnosis
Incidence rates of acute hepatitis B were calculated through the use of health-region-specific 2001 and 2006 census data and intercensal population estimates
1
2
From January 1, 2005 through September 30, 2010
3
Bars indicate 95% confidence interval
Figure 5: Incidence rates1 of reported acute HBV infection by year and gender, EHSSS,
2005-20102,3
2.0
Male
Female
1.5
1.0
0.5
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Year of Diagnosis
1
2
3
6
Figure 6: Cumulative number and incidence rates1 of reported acute HBV infection by age
group and gender, EHSSS, 2005-20102
120 3
Male Rate

100
Female Rate
Number of Cases
80 Male Number 2
Female Number
60
40 1
20
0
0
0-14 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+
Age Group
1
2
Figure 7: Reported incidence rates1 of acute HBV infection by year and age group, EHSSS,
2005-20102
2.5 0-14
15-24
25-34
2.0 35-44
45-54
1.5 55+
1.0
0.5
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Year of Diagnosis
1
2
7
Table 2: Distribution of the reported cases of acute HBV infection aged 0-24 years
according to diagnosis year and birthplace, EHSSS, 2007-2010
Birthplace 2007 2008 2009 2010 Total
non-Canadian-born 3 4 3 3 13
Canadian-born 1 0 3 0 4
Missing 1 0 0 1 2
Figure 8: Cumulative incidence rates1 of reported acute HBV infection by age group,
EHSSS, 2005-20102,3
1.8
1.2
0.6
0
0-14 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+
Age Group
1
2
3
The reported rate of acute HBV infection is higher XX

Poisson regression models suggested that there were
among Aboriginal peoples compared to non-Aboriginal interactions between gender and ethnic group. For
peoples in the health jurisdictions that participated in females, reported incidence rates of acute hepatitis B
the EHSSS. were 4.34 (95% CI 2.76-6.83) times higher among Ab-
XX
Between January 1999 and September 2008, among original peoples than among non-Aboriginal peoples
cases with known information on ethnicity, cumula- (Figure 10). For males, reported incidence rates of
tively reported incidence rate of acute HBV infection acute hepatitis B were 1.86 (95% CI 1.27-2.74) times
per 100,000 inhabitants was 1.92 (95% confidence higher among Aboriginal peoples than among non-
interval [CI] 1.46-2.53) for Aboriginal peoples and 0.78 Aboriginal peoples (Figure 10).
(95% CI 0.72-0.85) in non-Aboriginal peoples. Poisson XX The disparity in the incidence rate of reported acute
regression analysis revealed that Aboriginal Canadians hepatitis B between Aboriginal people and non-Aborig-
were more likely than non-Aboriginal Canadians to inal people has narrowed since 2003 (Figure 9).
develop acute hepatitis B (adjusted rate ratio 3.32, 95%
CI 2.39-4.61) (Figure 9).
8
Figure 9: Reported incidence rate1 of acute HBV infection by year and ethnic group,
EHSSS, 1999-20082
6
non-Aboriginal
Incidence of acute hepatitis B
5 Aboriginal
4
per 100,000
0
1999-2000 2001-2002 2003-2004 2005-2006 2007-2008
Year of Diagnosis
Incidence rates of acute hepatitis B were calculated through the use of health-region-specific 1996, 2001 and 2006 census data and intercensal population estimates
1
2
Figure 10: Cumulatively reported incidence rate1 of acute HBV infection by gender and
ethnic group, EHSSS, 1999-20082
2.5
Male
Incidence of acute hepatitis B
Female
2.0
per 100,000
1.5
1.0
0.5
0
Aboriginal non-Aboriginal
Ethnic Group
Incidence rates of acute hepatitis B were calculated through the use of health-region-specific 1996, 2001 and 2006 census data and intercensal population estimates
1
2
Sexual transmission appears to be the most common XX

A high proportion of these cases occurred among
route of HBV infection. individuals with risk factors for HBV infection (e.g.,
XX
Of the 405 reported cases of acute HBV infection, IDU, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), and
262 (64.7%) individuals consented to be interviewed. persons with multiple sex partners) (Figure 11).
Of these, IDU accounted for 12.2%, drug snorting for
6.9%, and high-risk sexual behaviours for 30.1% (Fig-
ure 11).
9
Figure 11: Distribution of Mutually Exclusive Risk Factors for HBV Infection among Cases
of acute hepatitis B, EHSSS, 2005-2010*
IDU 12.2%
Unknown 21.4%
Non IDU 6.9%
Percutaneous 1.9%
Sex with HBV carrier 9.9%
Other 24.4%
>1 sex partners 10.3%
Healthcare-associated 3.1% MSM 9.9%
Discussion A decrease in the incidence rate of reported acute

A decrease in the hepatitis B incidence observed in hepatitis B was observed among both Aboriginal people
both routine (CNDSS) and enhanced (EHSSS) hepatitis and non-Aboriginal people. However, the incidence rate
surveillance can be a result of the introduction of public of reported acute hepatitis B was disproportionately
health measures, such as refinement in blood screening, higher among Aboriginal women compared with
the use of universal precautions in medical settings and non-Aboriginal women. This suggests the need for
implementation of HBV vaccination. focused preventive efforts to reduce disparities. Further
investigations across remote Aboriginal people are
The decline of acute hepatitis B incidence in the cohort
recommended to detect those with chronic HBV infection
aged 10 to 19 years who were eligible to have received
and provide access to ongoing monitoring and treatment.
vaccines since the middle 1990s suggests that person-to-
person HBV transmission within this age group has been In recent years, the number of reported cases of acute
decreasing. HBV transmission may be further reduced by HBV infection in the cohort aged 0 to 24 years has
improving immunization coverage among certain high- stabilized. This is probably due, at least in part to the
risk groups (IDU, MSM, household and sexual exposure substantial increase in the reported cases within the
to an infected partner) and by implementing effective non-Canadian-born population. A further reduction
and cost-effective interventions, including educational would likely require efforts directed towards vaccinating
interventions. immigrants and adopted children coming from countries
where mass HBV vaccination programmes have still not
been launched.
10
Many P/Ts implemented a universal HBV immunization Chronic HBV infection is frequently undiagnosed
strategy aimed at infants and children in the early until symptoms of late-stage complications develop,
1990s. This continued strategy is required to maintain many years after infection. An estimated 15 to 40%
the reduction in number of acute infections and thereby of chronically infected people will eventually develop
reducing the number of chronically infected persons in complications, the most common and deadliest of which
the future. In conjunction with the timely incidence data, are primary liver cancer and end-stage liver disease [16].
surveillance data and risk factor data are essential for When these complications are diagnosed, they require
informed HBV vaccination and control policies. expensive treatments and are most often fatal [16].
Given the relatively long latency period between chronic
Given that approximately half of all hepatitis B cases
HBV infection and clinical manifestation of the disease,
are asymptomatic, the reported cases are most likely
hepatitis B will remain a major health concern in Canada
a significant underestimation of the true incidence of
despite the declining incidence. HBV-related chronic liver
acute HBV infection. Many individuals with HBV are
disease rates may therefore remain elevated for decades.
unaware that they carry the infection. Of those who are
chronically infected, only a minority receive routine,
scheduled follow-up to monitor their disease status.
11
10. Bigham M, Remple VP, Pielak K, McIntyre C, White

References R, Wu W. Uptake and behavioural and attitudinal
determinants of immunization in an expanded rou-
1. World Health Organization. Hepatitis B. (Fact sheet tine infant hepatitis B vaccination program in British
no. 204). Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organi- Columbia. Can J Public Health 2006;97:90-95.
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11. Duval B, Gîlca V, Boulianne N, Deceuninck G,
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B. Lancet 2003;362:2089-2094. diatric doses of monovalent hepatitis B or combined
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Nalezyty LA. A population-based hepatitis B serop- Vaccine 2005;23:4082-4087.
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town. Can J Public Health 1997;88:87-90. Costs and cost-effectiveness of a universal, school-
4. Wong WW, Minuk GY. A cross-sectional seroepide- based hepatitis B vaccination program. Am J Public
miologic survey of chronic hepatitis B virus infections Health 1998;88:1638-1644.
in Southeast Asian immigrants residing in a Canadian 13. Boulos D, Goedhuis NJ, Wu J, Baptiste B, Poliquin D,
urban centre. Clin Invest Med 1994;17:443-447. Furseth J, Chan JI, Bolesnikov G, Barichello F, An-
5. Chiavetta JA, Escobar M, Newman A, et al. Incidence donov A, Giulivi A. Enhanced surveillance for acute
and estimated rates of residual risk for HIV, hepatitis and likely acute hepatitis B in Canada: 1999 to 2002.
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12
Acknowledgements For more information, please contact:

Routine surveillance of HBV infection is possible as a
Surveillance and Epidemiology Division
result of all provinces and territories voluntarily submitting
Centre for Communicable
non-nominal data through the CNDSS. Accordingly, the
Diseases and Infection Control
Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control
Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Branch
acknowledges the provincial/territorial notifiable disease
Public Health Agency of Canada
reporting coordinators, laboratories, healthcare providers,
Tunney’s Pasture
and reporting physicians for providing non-nominal
Postal Locator: 0601E2
data through CNDSS. The Enhanced Hepatitis Strain
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
Surveillance System (EHSSS) is possible as a result of
Fax: (613) 952-6668
collaboration between the Public Health Agency of Canada
and researchers, provincial and local health authorities and
community based organisations from participating sites
across Canada. We thank the site-specific collaborators for
their participation in EHSSS.
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2011

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Brief Report: Hepatitis B Infection in Canada

Prevention of HBV Prevalence of HBV

N/A: Not Available

Comprehensive HBV surveillance XX

Incidence rate per 100,000

The reported rate of acute HBV infection is higher XX

Sexual transmission appears to be the most common XX

Sex with HBV carrier 9.9%

Healthcare-associated 3.1% MSM 9.9%

Discussion A decrease in the incidence rate of reported acute

10. Bigham M, Remple VP, Pielak K, McIntyre C, White

Acknowledgements For more information, please contact:

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2011

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