HR0760 LRB098 17701 GRL 52816 r
1		HOUSE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused
3		by a viral infection; there are 5 hepatitis viruses, designated
4		as types A, B, C, D, and E; the 5 types of hepatitis can be
5		fatal and potentially lead to an outbreak, which can affect
6		others; and
7		WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
8		Prevention, there were 1,398 reported cases of hepatitis A in
9		the United States in 2011; it is believed that the actual
10		number of cases to be 2,700; in 2010, there were 95 certified
11		deaths in the United States as a result of hepatitis A;
12		hepatitis A impacts individuals who live in poor sanitary
13		conditions; vaccines are available for the prevention and
14		treatment of hepatitis A; and
15		WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
16		Prevention, there were 2,890 reported cases of hepatitis B and
17		an estimated 18,800 actual cases of the virus in 2011; in 2010,
18		1,792 deaths in the United States were a result of hepatitis B;
19		hepatitis B is transmitted through infective blood, semen, and
20		other bodily fluids; the virus can be transmitted from a mother
21		to her child during pregnancy and to health care workers
22		dealing with blood transfusions; a vaccine is available for
23		individuals to prevent hepatitis B; and

HR0760 - 2 - LRB098 17701 GRL 52816 r
1		WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
2		Prevention, there were 1,229 reported cases of Hepatitis C and
3		an estimate of 16,500 actual cases of the virus in the United
4		States in 2011; in 2010, 16,627 deaths were reported as the
5		result of hepatitis C, a number that is considered to be only a
6		fraction of deaths attributable in whole or part to chronic
7		hepatitis C; hepatitis C is considered to be the deadliest of
8		the 5 viruses and currently takes more lives in the United
9		States than HIV, AIDS, and all other types of hepatitis; if
10		left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to liver failure, liver
11		cancer, or cirrhosis; those born between 1945 and 1965 are
12		disproportionately affected by hepatitis C and the Centers for
13		Disease Control and Prevention recommends that they get a
14		one-time test regardless of whether or not they have any
15		symptoms; other groups that are disproportionately impacted by
16		hepatitis C include African Americans, those undergoing
17		dialysis, hemophiliacs, the homeless, the incarcerated, those
18		who received a blood transfusion before 1992, and Vietnam
19		veterans; and
20		WHEREAS, Hepatitis D infections occur only in individuals
21		who are infected with hepatitis B; the infections of both
22		hepatitis B and D can result in a more serious disease and a
23		worse outcome; vaccines are available to treat those infected
24		with hepatitis D and prevent infections; and

HR0760 - 3 - LRB098 17701 GRL 52816 r
1		WHEREAS, Hepatitis E impacts individuals through the
2		contamination of food or water; it is predominately an issue in
3		developing nations and is seen as an important health issue in
4		developing nations; vaccines have been developed, but are not
5		widely available; and
6		WHEREAS, Illinois State Representative Michael McAuliffe
7		(R-Chicago) has personally experienced the hepatitis virus in
8		his family and has been an outspoken advocate for encouraging
9		individuals, especially veterans, to be tested for the virus;
10		he, along with the members of this body, want to ensure that
11		the people of Illinois understand the dangers of hepatitis and
12		the urgent need to raise awareness in order to prevent the
13		spread of the hepatitis before it takes any more lives;
14		therefore, be it
15		RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
16		NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17		we designate May of 2014 as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the
18		State of Illinois; and be it further
19		RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
20		delivered to the Governor of Illinois, all other constitutional
21		officers, and all members of the Illinois General Assembly in
22		order to raise awareness of hepatitis.