Section 690.452  Hepatitis C, Acute Infection, Perinatal and Non-acute Confirmed Infection (Reportable by mail, telephone, facsimile, or electronically, within three days)

a)         Control of Case 

No specific restrictions.

b)         Control of Contacts

Infants born to mothers who are hepatitis C positive shall be tested for the presence of hepatitis C by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or any other supplemental or confirmatory test.  Testing shall be done no sooner than two months of age.  After 18 months of age, the infant shall be tested for the presence of hepatitis C by anti-HCV testing by immunoassay. 

c)         Laboratory Reporting

1)         Laboratories shall report to the local health authority patients who receive the following tests:

A)        Anti-HCV testing (both positive and negative results) by immunoassay (e.g., enzyme immunoassay, chemiluminescence immunoassay), or

B)        Hepatitis C by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (both positive and negative) or any other supplemental or confirmatory test that may be used.

C)        Hepatitis C by antigen test (both positive and negative) or any other supplemental or confirmatory tests that may be used.

2)         Laboratories shall report results of the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) testing that are closest in time to the date of the positive hepatitis C result.  Results shall be reported concurrently with the positive immunoassay, PCR, immunoblot or other confirmatory test results.

3)         Laboratories shall report viral genotype results (when performed).

4)         Laboratories shall report results of the total bilirubin testing that are closest in time to the date of the positive hepatitis C result.  Results shall be reported concurrently with the positive immunoassay, PCR, immunoblot or other confirmatory test results.

d)         General Measures

All pregnant persons should be tested for hepatitis C with reflex testing (HCV AB-RNA-genotype) during first trimester or first prenatal visit, and when they present to a hospital or other facility for delivery if prenatal serologic results are not available.  Pregnant persons who are at high risk for hepatitis C infection (recent history of sexually transmitted infection, multiple sexual partners, injection drug use, or other possible risks of hepatitis C infection) should be re-tested upon admission to the hospital prior to delivery.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 4098, effective February 27, 2024)