Hep B outbreak

There’s an outbreak of Hepatitus B in the greater Moncton area according to the region’s health officer.

The Times and Transcript reports Dr. Yves Leger says that between 2003 and 2014 there was an average of one case of Hep B each year. In 2014 there were seven. There was just one reported last year but there have been four so far this year. Leger says most of them involved gay men…and transmission of the disease is continuing.

The virus is passed by sex…not casual contact such as sharing eating utensils, kissing or shaking hands. Leger held a news conference to announce free Hep B vacinnes will be available to men who fall into the group.