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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused
3by a viral infection; there are 5 hepatitis viruses, designated
4as types A, B, C, D, and E; the 5 types of hepatitis can be
5fatal and potentially lead to an outbreak, which can affect
6others; and
 
7    WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
8Prevention, there were 1,398 reported cases of hepatitis A in
9the United States in 2011; it is believed that the actual
10number of cases to be 2,700; in 2010, there were 95 certified
11deaths in the United States as a result of hepatitis A;
12hepatitis A impacts individuals who live in poor sanitary
13conditions; vaccines are available for the prevention and
14treatment of hepatitis A; and
 
15    WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
16Prevention, there were 2,890 reported cases of hepatitis B and
17an estimated 18,800 actual cases of the virus in 2011; in 2010,
181,792 deaths in the United States were a result of hepatitis B;
19hepatitis B is transmitted through infective blood, semen, and
20other bodily fluids; the virus can be transmitted from a mother
21to her child during pregnancy and to health care workers
22dealing with blood transfusions; a vaccine is available for
23individuals to prevent hepatitis B; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
2Prevention, there were 1,229 reported cases of Hepatitis C and
3an estimate of 16,500 actual cases of the virus in the United
4States in 2011; in 2010, 16,627 deaths were reported as the
5result of hepatitis C, a number that is considered to be only a
6fraction of deaths attributable in whole or part to chronic
7hepatitis C; hepatitis C is considered to be the deadliest of
8the 5 viruses and currently takes more lives in the United
9States than HIV, AIDS, and all other types of hepatitis; if
10left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to liver failure, liver
11cancer, or cirrhosis; those born between 1945 and 1965 are
12disproportionately affected by hepatitis C and the Centers for
13Disease Control and Prevention recommends that they get a
14one-time test regardless of whether or not they have any
15symptoms; other groups that are disproportionately impacted by
16hepatitis C include African Americans, those undergoing
17dialysis, hemophiliacs, the homeless, the incarcerated, those
18who received a blood transfusion before 1992, and Vietnam
19veterans; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Hepatitis D infections occur only in individuals
21who are infected with hepatitis B; the infections of both
22hepatitis B and D can result in a more serious disease and a
23worse outcome; vaccines are available to treat those infected
24with hepatitis D and prevent infections; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Hepatitis E impacts individuals through the
2contamination of food or water; it is predominately an issue in
3developing nations and is seen as an important health issue in
4developing nations; vaccines have been developed, but are not
5widely available; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Illinois State Representative Michael McAuliffe
7(R-Chicago) has personally experienced the hepatitis virus in
8his family and has been an outspoken advocate for encouraging
9individuals, especially veterans, to be tested for the virus;
10he, along with the members of this body, want to ensure that
11the people of Illinois understand the dangers of hepatitis and
12the urgent need to raise awareness in order to prevent the
13spread of the hepatitis before it takes any more lives;
14therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
16NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17we designate May of 2014 as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the
18State of Illinois; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
20delivered to the Governor of Illinois, all other constitutional
21officers, and all members of the Illinois General Assembly in
22order to raise awareness of hepatitis.