Public Health's Role
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is notified about any Hepatitis B pregnant women and infants born to these women. MDH then provides the information to local Public Health departments for follow-up. In Scott County, a Public Health nurse is assigned to work with the family to help complete the medical care needed and prevent the Hepatitis B virus from spreading to the infant. While working with the mother, the Public Health nurse will:
- Ensure the infant receives medicine, immuno-globulin, at birth
- Give the infant a hepatitis B vaccine series
- Complete blood work at one-year of age to verify the infant does not have hepatitis B.