Conference Information System

A one-day workshop held in conjunction with the 13th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, Novosibirsk, Russia June 12-16, 2006

Background

High rates of viral hepatitis have been found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Specifically, epidemics of hepatitis A virus (HAV) continue to occur in Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Russia. Prevalence rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in parts of Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Russia are among the highest reported in the world. High prevalence rates of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have also been found in Russia, certain areas of Alaska and the Scandinavian countries. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) has been described in parts of Russia and Greenland. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been reported in Southern Russia and recently identified in Canada. Despite these high rates, government intervention programs that address screening, treatment, follow-up and prevention of the indigenous populations have in many areas been sub-optimal and in some regions, non-existent.

Aims of the Workshop

To review the epidemiology and outcome of viral hepatitis A, B, C, D and E in the Circumpolar regions with emphasis on indigenous populations.
To discuss the role of vaccination programs for hepatitis A and B in the Circumpolar regions.
To review data on the sequelae, mainly chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma of hepatitis B, C and D in the Circumpolar regions.
To establish a working group to discuss and strategize how to secure government support for long-term treatment, follow-up and prevention programs in the Circumpolar regions.
To develop collaborative studies on the epidemiology, natural history, molecular biology, treatment and prevention of viral hepatitis in the Circumpolar regions.
To promote education initiatives to residents and providers in the region regarding the diagnosis, clinical management, treatment and prevention of viral hepatitis in the Circumpolar regions.

Topics to be included:

Epidemiology of viral hepatitis in the Circumpolar regions.
Vaccination to prevent hepatitis A, B and D and studies on long-term protection in the Circumpolar regions.
Prevalence and incidence of liver disease and HCC in the Circumpolar regions.
Natural history of HBV and HCV and risk factors for disease progression in the Circumpolar regions.
Treatment of HBV and HCV in the Circumpolar regions.
Development of programs to follow persons with chronic HBV and HCV in the Circumpolar regions.
Occult HBV and HCV in the Circumpolar regions.
Establishment of a permanent Viral Hepatitis In the Arctic Working Group.
Establishment of International Collaborative Studies on viral hepatitis and liver disease in the Circumpolar regions.

Faculty

Knud Brinklov Jensen, Greenland, Denmark
Michael Bruce, Arctic Investigations Program, CDC, Anchorage, USA
Vladimir Chulanov, Center for Molecular Diagnostics, Moscow, Russia
Jeppe Friborg, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
Thomas Hennessy, Arctic Investigations Program, CDC, Anchorage, USA
Anders Koch, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
Bryce Larke, Yukon Health and Social Services, Whitehorse, Canada
Brian McMahon, Alaska Native Medical Center/Arctic Investigations Program CDC, USA
Mads Melby, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
Gerald Minuk, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Alan Parkinson, Arctic Investigations Program, CDC, Anchorage, USA
Andrei Tulisov, Epidemiological Surveillance Center, Arkhangelsk, Russia
Julia Uhanova, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
James Williams, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, USA

Organizing Committee

Gerald Minuk, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Brian McMahon, Alaska Native Medical Center/Arctic Investigations Program CDC, USA
Vladimir Chulanov, Center for Molecular Diagnostics, Moscow, Russia

Co-Chairs: Brian J McMahon MD, Gerald Minuk MD, Anders Koch MD, Andrei Tulisov MD
Introduction and Goals of the Workshop		9:00 AM
Session 1: Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis in the Arctic		9:05-10:30
Alaska	Thomas Hennessy MD & Michael Bruce MD	9:05-9:20
Canada	Julia Uhanova MD	9:20-9:35
Russia	Andrei Tulisov MD	9:35-9:50
Greenland/Scandinavia	Anders Koch MD	9:50-10:05
Free Papers (1 paper)		10:05-10:15
Open Discussion		10:15-10:30
Morning Break		10:30-11:00
Session 2 Virology and Natural History of Viral Hepatitis in the Arctic		11:00-12:30
HBV Genotypes Masashi Mizokami MD	Nagoya Japan	11:00-11:20
Alaska	Brian McMahon MD	11:20-11:35
Canada	Carla Osiowy PhD & Gerald Minuk, MD	11:35-11:50
Russia	Vladimir Chulanov	11:50-12:05
Greenland/Scandinavia	Henrik Krarup, MD	12:05-12:20
Free Papers	Malene Boerresen, MD (preliminary 'HBV genotypes in settlement outbreak')	12:20-12:30
Lunch and Poster Viewing		12:30-13:30
Session 3: Treatment and Prevention		13:30-14:30
Alaska	James Williams	13:30-13:45
Canada	Bryce Larke, MD & Kimberly Watt MD	13:45-14:00
Russia	Dr. Martha Alexeeva or other speaker	14:00-14:15
Scandinavia/Greenland	Allan Gelvan MD	14:15-14:30
Open Discussion		14:30-14:45
Afternoon Break		14:45-15:00
Session 4: Roundtable Discussion: Designing Collaborative Studies in Viral Hepatitis in the Arctic		15:00-17:00

13 International Congress on Circumpolar Health

Viral Hepatitis Workshop: 13th International Congress on Circumpolar Health
Novosibirsk, Russia
13 June, 2006

Brian McMahon, Gerald Minuk, Anders Koch, Andre Tulisov, Vladimir Chulanov, Masashi Mizokami others

A one-day workshop held in conjunction with the 13th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, Novosibirsk, Russia June 12-16, 2006 Background High rates of viral hepatitis have been found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Specifically, epidemics of hepatitis A virus (HAV) continue to occur in Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Russia. Prevalence rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in parts of Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Russia are among the highest reported in the world. High prevalence rates of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have also been found in Russia, certain areas of Alaska and the Scandinavian countries. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) has been described in parts of Russia and Greenland. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been reported in Southern Russia and recently identified in Canada. Despite these high rates, government intervention programs that address screening, treatment, follow-up and prevention of the indigenous populations have in many areas been sub-optimal and in some regions, non-existent.
Aims of the Workshop To review the epidemiology and outcome of viral hepatitis A, B, C, D and E in the Circumpolar regions with emphasis on indigenous populations. To discuss the role of vaccination programs for hepatitis A and B in the Circumpolar regions. To review data on the sequelae, mainly chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma of hepatitis B, C and D in the Circumpolar regions. To establish a working group to discuss and strategize how to secure government support for long-term treatment, follow-up and prevention programs in the Circumpolar regions. To develop collaborative studies on the epidemiology, natural history, molecular biology, treatment and prevention of viral hepatitis in the Circumpolar regions. To promote education initiatives to residents and providers in the region regarding the diagnosis, clinical management, treatment and prevention of viral hepatitis in the Circumpolar regions.	Topics to be included: Epidemiology of viral hepatitis in the Circumpolar regions. Vaccination to prevent hepatitis A, B and D and studies on long-term protection in the Circumpolar regions. Prevalence and incidence of liver disease and HCC in the Circumpolar regions. Natural history of HBV and HCV and risk factors for disease progression in the Circumpolar regions. Treatment of HBV and HCV in the Circumpolar regions. Development of programs to follow persons with chronic HBV and HCV in the Circumpolar regions. Occult HBV and HCV in the Circumpolar regions. Establishment of a permanent Viral Hepatitis In the Arctic Working Group. Establishment of International Collaborative Studies on viral hepatitis and liver disease in the Circumpolar regions.
Faculty Knud Brinklov Jensen, Greenland, Denmark Michael Bruce, Arctic Investigations Program, CDC, Anchorage, USA Vladimir Chulanov, Center for Molecular Diagnostics, Moscow, Russia Jeppe Friborg, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark Thomas Hennessy, Arctic Investigations Program, CDC, Anchorage, USA Anders Koch, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark Bryce Larke, Yukon Health and Social Services, Whitehorse, Canada Brian McMahon, Alaska Native Medical Center/Arctic Investigations Program CDC, USA Mads Melby, Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark Gerald Minuk, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada Alan Parkinson, Arctic Investigations Program, CDC, Anchorage, USA Andrei Tulisov, Epidemiological Surveillance Center, Arkhangelsk, Russia Julia Uhanova, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada James Williams, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, USA Organizing Committee Gerald Minuk, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada Brian McMahon, Alaska Native Medical Center/Arctic Investigations Program CDC, USA Vladimir Chulanov, Center for Molecular Diagnostics, Moscow, Russia

13 International Congress on Circumpolar Health

Viral Hepatitis Workshop: 13th International Congress on Circumpolar Health Novosibirsk, Russia13 June, 2006

Brian McMahon, Gerald Minuk, Anders Koch, Andre Tulisov, Vladimir Chulanov, Masashi Mizokami others

Viral Hepatitis Workshop: 13th International Congress on Circumpolar Health
Novosibirsk, Russia
13 June, 2006