Download 2016 second quarter STI and BBV report (Word 881KB)

Quarterly Surveillance Report
Notifiable Sexually
Transmissible Infections and
Blood-borne Viruses in
Western Australia
Period ending 30 June 2016
Vol. 13 (3), issued August 2016
Contents
Summary...................................................................................................................................... 2
Chlamydia .................................................................................................................................... 2
Gonorrhoea .................................................................................................................................. 5
Infectious syphilis ......................................................................................................................... 7
HIV/AIDS...................................................................................................................................... 9
Hepatitis B.................................................................................................................................. 11
Hepatitis C ................................................................................................................................. 14
Notes:
1. All data in this report are provisional and subject to future revision.
2. To help place the data in this report in perspective, comparisons with other reporting
periods are provided. As no formal statistical testing has been conducted, some caution
should be taken with interpretation.
3. Notifications for Christmas Island, Curtin, Leonora, Perth and Yongah Hill Immigration
Detention Centres have been excluded from all analyses because of potential bias
introduced through the inclusion of cases detected by screening of asylum seekers at
these locations.
Copyright to this material is vested in the State of Western Australia unless otherwise indicated.
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as
permitted under the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or re-used
for any purposes whatsoever without written permission of the State of Western Australia.
Produced by the Epidemiology & Surveillance Program,
Communicable Disease Control Directorate,
Department of Health, Western Australia.
1
Summary
Table 1 Number and percentage change of STI and BBV notifications by reporting period, WA
2nd Quarter
Disease
Category
Disease
2nd Quarter 5 Year Mean for 2nd Quarter
2016
2nd Quarter1
% Change 2
Chlamydia
Infectious Syphilis
STI Total
2,946.0
5%
11,608
11,323
11,531.4
1%
504.4
67%
2,832
2,096
1,967.4
44%
69
3,996
29.8
3,480.2
132%
15%
259
14,699
107
13,526
95.6
13,594.4
171%
8%
9
6.0
50%
27
28
26.2
3%
240
249
126.8
132.8
89%
88%
643
589
670
617
557.0
583.2
15%
15%
27
34.2
-21%
164
154
130.2
26%
Hepatitis C (Unspecified)
317
235.6
35%
1,006
986
967.6
4%
Hepatitis C (Total)
BBV Total
344
593
269.8
402.6
28%
47%
1,170
1,840
1,140
1,757
1,097.8
1,681
7%
9%
20
28.4
-30%
130
129
118.4
10%
4,609
3,911.2
18%
16,669
15,412
15,393.8
8%
Hepatitis B (Unspecified)
Hepatitis B (Total)
Hepatitis C (Newly acquired)
HIV
Combined Total
Notes:
01 Jul - 30 Jun
% Change 4
842
Hepatitis B (Newly acquired)
BBVs
01 Jul 15 - 01 Jul 14 - 5 Year Mean for
30 Jun 16 30 Jun 15 01 Jul - 30 Jun3
3,085
Gonorrhoea
STIs
12-month period: 01 July to 30 June
1
Historical five-year mean (i.e. from 2011 to 2015) for the current quarter.
Percentage change of the number of notifications in the current quarter compared to the historical five-year mean of the same quarter.
Positive values indicate an increase in comparison to the historical five-year mean of the same quarter. Negative values indicate a
decrease in comparison to the historical five-year mean of the same quarter.
3
Historical five-year mean (i.e. from 2011 to 2015) for the current 12-month period.
4
Percentage change of the number of notifications in the current 12-month period compared to the historical five-year mean for the
same 12-month period. For interpretation of positive and negative values, see note 2.
2
Chlamydia
Figure 1 Number of chlamydia notifications in WA by month, for the two most recent 12-month periods
1,200
Number of notifications
1,000
800
600
400
200
2014
2015
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
0
2016
Year and Month

The number of chlamydia notifications for the 12-month period from July 2015 to June
2016 was comparable to the previous 12-month period and the previous five year
average, reflecting a trend for relative stability in chlamydia notifications over this period,
after many years of increasing notifications (Table 1).
2
Table 2 Number and proportion of chlamydia notifications in WA by sex, for the two most recent 12-month
periods
Sex
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Percent
Number
Percent
Male
5,001
43%
4,798
42%
Female
Male:Female ratio
6,606
0.8
57%
N/A
6,524
0.7
58%
N/A
11,608
100%
11,323
100%
Total
Notes: N/A = Not applicable
Table 3 Number and proportion of chlamydia notifications in WA by age group, for the two most recent 12month periods
Age group 01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
(Years)
Number
Percent
0–9

01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Percent
0
0%
3
0%
10–14
99
1%
122
1%
15–19
2,420
21%
2,519
22%
20–24
3,761
32%
3,871
34%
25–29
2,570
22%
2,377
21%
30–34
1,315
11%
1,128
10%
35–39
567
5%
501
4%
40–44
348
3%
340
3%
45–49
218
2%
209
2%
50–54
143
1%
132
1%
55–59
60+
92
75
1%
1%
64
57
1%
1%
Total
11,608
100%
11,323
100%
The age distribution of chlamydia notifications was similar to the previous 12-month
period. The largest proportion of notifications was among 15 to 24 year olds (52%) and
notifications among this age group remained relatively stable. The number of notifications
among 25 to 34 year olds increased by 11%.
Table 4 Number and crude rate of chlamydia notifications in WA by Aboriginality, for the two most recent
12-month periods
Aboriginality
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Rate
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Rate
Aboriginal
1,510
1,856.0
1,355
1,687.4
Non-Aboriginal
9,219
358.1
9,340
371.3
879
0.2
N/A
5.2
628
0.1
N/A
4.5
11,608
437.2
11,323
436.3
Unknown
Aboriginal:Non-Aboriginal ratio
Total
Notes: Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
N/A = Not applicable

The chlamydia notification rate increased by 10% among Aboriginal people and
decreased by 4% among non-Aboriginal people resulting in an increase in the rate ratio
compared to the previous 12-month period.
3
Table 5 Number and crude rate of chlamydia notifications in WA by region, for the two most recent 12month periods
Region
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Rate
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Rate
Goldfields
367
606.4
285
475.7
Great Southern
174
288.7
199
332.5
Kimberley
610
1,427.9
648
1,550.2
Midwest
335
483.4
295
431.0
4,461
409.4
4,517
423.9
382
469.4
361
460.3
4,403
441.1
4,136
425.3
South West
589
336.0
575
335.2
Wheatbelt
179
231.8
200
260.9
Other
Unknown
108
0
N/A
N/A
107
0
N/A
N/A
11,608
437.2
11,323
450.2
North Metropolitan
Pilbara
South Metropolitan
Total
Notes: Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
Other = Interstate + Overseas residents diagnosed in WA
Unknown = Unknown residential address within WA
N/A = Not applicable

Chlamydia notification rates declined or remained stable in most regions except the
Goldfields and Midwest, where there were modest increases (27% and 12%,
respectively).
4
Gonorrhoea
Figure 2 Number of gonorrhoea notifications in WA by region and exposure category, for the two most
recent 12-month periods
900
800
Number of notifications
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
3
4
1
2014
Metro MSM
2
3
4
1
2015
Year and quarter
Non-metro MSM
Metro heterosexual
2
2016
Non-metro heterosexual
WA (Total)

The total number of gonorrhoea notifications was 35% higher compared to the previous
12-month period and 44% higher than the previous 5-year mean (Table 1), with most of
the increase seen in Perth residents.

In the Perth metropolitan area, the number of gonorrhoea notifications categorised as
“heterosexual” (on the basis of enhanced surveillance data provided by notifying
clinicians) increased by 53% in comparison to the previous 12-month period (n=1,119 vs.
731), and by 92% in comparison to the previous five-year mean of 583 cases per year.
The largest increases occurred among females, with a 78% increase compared to the
previous 12-month period (n=542 vs. 304) and a 128% increase in comparison to the
previous five-year mean of 238 cases per year.

The number of gonorrhoea notifications in the Perth metropolitan area categorised as
“men who have sex with men” (MSM) increased by 31% in comparison to the previous
12-month period (n=498 vs. 379), and by 84% in comparison to the previous five-year
mean of 271 cases per year. The number of notifications peaked in the first quarter of
2016.
Table 6 Number and proportion of gonorrhoea notifications in WA by sex, for the two most recent 12month periods
Sex
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Percent
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Percent
Male
1,682
59%
1,318
63%
Female
Male:Female ratio
1,149
1.5
41%
N/A
778
1.7
37%
N/A
Total
2,832
100%
2,096
100%
Notes: N/A = Not applicable
5

The number of gonorrhoea notifications increased by 28% among males and by 48%
among females, with a resulting decline in the male to female ratio compared to the
previous 12-month period.
Table 7 Number and proportion of gonorrhoea notifications in WA by age group, for the two most recent
12-month periods
Age group 01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
(Years)
Number
Percent
0–9

7
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
0%
Percent
1
0%
10–14
61
2%
63
3%
15–19
460
16%
308
15%
20–24
659
23%
474
23%
25–29
627
22%
456
22%
30–34
414
15%
300
14%
35–39
195
7%
159
8%
40–44
139
5%
125
6%
45–49
116
4%
89
4%
50–54
65
2%
56
3%
55–59
60+
41
48
1%
2%
32
33
2%
2%
Total
2,832
100%
2,096
100%
The age distribution of gonorrhoea notifications was similar to the previous 12-month
period, with the number of notified cases increasing in all age-groups above 15 years.
The largest proportion of notifications was among 20 to 29 year olds (45%) and
notifications among this age group increased by 38%.
Table 8 Number and crude rate of gonorrhoea notifications in WA by Aboriginality, for the two most recent
12-month periods
Aboriginality
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Aboriginal
Non-Aboriginal
Unknown
Aboriginal:Non-Aboriginal ratio
Total
Rate
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Rate
877
1,078.0
744
926.5
1,944
75.5
1,345
53.5
11
0.5
N/A
14.3
7
0.6
N/A
17.3
2,832
106.7
2,096
80.8
Notes: Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
N/A = Not applicable

The gonorrhoea notification rate increased by 16% among Aboriginal people and by 41%
among non-Aboriginal people, resulting in a decrease in the rate ratio compared to the
previous 12-month period.

Nonetheless, the rate of gonorrhoea among Aboriginal people was 14-times higher than
non-Aboriginal rates.

Aboriginal status was reported for 99.7% of notifications, reflective of the efforts of public
health staff in ascertaining this information.
6
Table 9 Number and crude rate of gonorrhoea notifications in WA by region, for the two most recent 12month periods
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Region
Number
Rate
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Rate
Goldfields
96
158.6
103
171.9
Great Southern
12
19.9
7
11.7
Kimberley
436
1,020.6
435
1,040.6
Midwest
103
148.6
45
65.8
North Metropolitan
981
90.0
683
64.1
Pilbara
192
235.9
157
200.2
South Metropolitan
872
87.4
569
58.5
South West
84
47.9
46
26.8
Wheatbelt
26
33.7
22
28.7
Other
Unknown
30
0
N/A
N/A
29
0
N/A
N/A
2,832
106.7
2,096
80.8
Total
Notes: Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
Other = Interstate + Overseas residents diagnosed in WA
Unknown = Unknown residential address within WA
N/A = Not applicable

Trends in the gonorrhoea notification rate varied between regions. While the rate
increased across most regions, it was stable in the Kimberley and there was an 8%
decrease in the Goldfields region.
Infectious syphilis
Figure 3 Number of infectious syphilis notifications in WA by region and exposure category, for the two
most recent 12-month periods
100
90
Number of notifications
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
3
4
1
2014
Metro MSM

2
3
4
1
2015
Year and quarter
Non-metro MSM
Metro heterosexual
Non-metro heterosexual
2
2016
WA (Total)
The total number of infectious syphilis notifications was more than double the number in
the previous 12-month period and the previous 5-year mean (Table 1).
7

In the Perth metropolitan area, the number of infectious syphilis cases categorised as
MSM was more than double the previous 12-month period (n=157 vs. 62) and the
previous five-year mean of 56 cases per year. Notifications increased sharply in the first
quarter of 2016 (n=59), and declined somewhat in the second quarter, but remain
significantly elevated.

The number of infectious syphilis notifications attributed to heterosexual transmission in
the Perth metropolitan area was also more than 5.5 times higher compared to the
previous 12-month period (n=39 vs. 7).
Table 10 Number and crude rate of infectious syphilis notifications by Aboriginality for the two most recent
12-month periods, WA
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Aboriginality
Number
Aboriginal
Rate
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Rate
43
52.9
31
38.6
Non-Aboriginal
214
8.3
76
3.0
Unknown
Aboriginal:Non-Aboriginal Ratio
2
0.2
N/A
6.4
0
0.4
N/A
12.8
WA (Total)
259
9.8
107
4.1
Notes: Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
N/A = Not applicable

The infectious syphilis notification rate increased by 37% among Aboriginal people
(primarily associated with an ongoing outbreak in the Kimberley region) and more than
doubled among non-Aboriginal people, resulting in a lower rate ratio compared to the
previous 12-month period.
Table 11 Number and crude rate of infectious syphilis notifications by region for the two most recent 12month periods, WA
Region
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Rate
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Rate
Goldfields
8
13.2
2
3.3
Great Southern
0
0.0
0
0.0
31
72.6
27
64.6
Kimberley
Midwest
4
5.8
1
1.5
127
11.7
47
4.4
2
2.5
2
2.6
78
7.8
24
2.5
South West
5
2.9
0
0.0
Wheatbelt
2
2.6
1
1.3
Other
Unknown
2
0
N/A
N/A
3
0
N/A
N/A
259
9.8
107
4.1
North Metropolitan
Pilbara
South Metropolitan
WA (Total)
Notes: Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
Unknown = Unknown residential address within WA
N/A = Not applicable

Trends in infectious syphilis notifications varied between regions. Most notable were the
increases in the combined Perth metropolitan regions (almost three-fold), and in the
8
Goldfields and Midwest regions (based on small numbers). Several cases in the
Goldfields region had unconfirmed links to the Northern Territory. While the notification
rate remains highest in the Kimberley region, the increase in the notification rate in the
past 12 months (12%) was relatively modest compared to the increase in the Perth
metropolitan area.

The increase in notifications of infectious syphilis in the Kimberley region reflects the
outbreak that commenced in northern Queensland in 2011 which spread to nearby areas
in the Northern Territory in 2013, and then to the Kimberley region. A total of 61
infectious syphilis cases (40 female, 21 male) have been notified in the Kimberley region
since the first case was identified in June 2014, with 14 cases notified in the six month
period Jan-Jun 2016. Prior to 2014, there had been no infectious syphilis notifications in
the Kimberley region for two years.
HIV/AIDS
Figure 4 Number of HIV notifications in WA by quarter, for the two most recent 12-month periods

There were 130 new HIV notifications in the July 2015 to June 2016 period, similar to the
previous 12-month period (n=129) (Table 1).

After a notable increase in the July - September 2015 quarter (n=46) the number of HIV
notifications has declined in subsequent quarters, with 20 cases notified in the April to
June quarter (Figure 4).

Of the new HIV notifications in the July 2015 to June 2016 period, 106 (82%) were male
and 24 (18%) were female. The male: female ratio for HIV notifications was 4.4:1, which
was higher than the ratio reported in the previous 12-month period (3.4:1).
9
Table 12 Number and proportion of HIV notifications in WA by age group, for the two most recent 12-month
periods
Age group 01 Jul 15 - 30 June 16 Period 01 Jul 14 - 30 June 15 Period
(Years)
Number
Percent
Number
Percent

0–9
1
1%
0
0%
10–14
0
0%
1
1%
15–19
0
0%
1
1%
20–24
13
10%
14
11%
25–29
21
16%
16
12%
30–34
20
15%
21
16%
35–39
17
13%
23
18%
40–44
19
15%
14
11%
45–49
10
8%
12
9%
50–54
12
9%
9
7%
55–59
60+
2
15
2%
12%
8
10
6%
8%
Total
130
100%
129
100%
The median age of newly notified HIV cases in the July 2015 to June 2016 period was 38
years (range: 4 to 81 years), similar to the median age reported for the previous 12month period (37 years; range: 12 to 72 years). The two notifications in the 0 to 14 age
group (Table 12) acquired HIV through vertical transmission overseas.
Table 13 Number and crude rate of HIV notifications in WA by Aboriginality, for the two most recent 12month periods
Aboriginality
01 Jul 15 - 30 June 16 Period 01 Jul 14 - 30 June 15 Period
Number
Aboriginal
Note:

Rate
Number
Rate
6
7.4
4
5.0
Non-Aboriginal
Aboriginal:Non-Aboriginal ratio
123
N/A
4.8
1.5
126
N/A
5.0
1.0
Total
129
4.9
130
5.0
Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
In the most recent 12-month period there were six HIV notifications among Aboriginal
people. The crude HIV notification rate for Aboriginal people is sensitive to small changes
in the number of cases notified and increased to 1.5 times the rate reported for nonAboriginal people in the current period (Table 13).
10
Table 14 Number and proportion of HIV notifications in WA by exposure, for the two most recent 12-month
periods
01 Jul 15 - 30 June 16 Period 01 Jul 14 - 30 June 15 Period
Exposure category
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Men who have sex with men
65
50%
74
57%
Male Heterosexual
30
23%
22
17%
Female Heterosexual
19
15%
27
21%
Male and Female IDU
Other/unknown
Total
5
11
130
4%
8%
100%
1
5
129
1%
4%
100%

In the current 12-month period there was a 12% decrease in the number of HIV
notifications for which the exposure category was attributed to MSM (Table 14). Most
MSM notified with HIV in the current period reported acquiring their infection in Australia
(68%).

The number of male cases attributed to heterosexual exposure in the current 12-month
period increased by 36% compared to the number reported in the previous period. (Table
14). The majority of these cases were men who acquired HIV overseas (73%).

There was a 30% decrease in the number of female notifications attributed to
heterosexual exposures in the current period (Table 14). Most of these women were born
overseas and had acquired HIV overseas (74%).
Hepatitis B
Figure 5 Number of hepatitis B notifications in WA by disease status, for the two most recent 12-month
periods
120
80
60
40
20
2014
2015
Jun
Apr
May
Mar
Feb
Jan
Dec
Oct
Nov
Sep
Jul
Aug
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
Dec
Oct
Nov
Sep
Jul
0
Aug
Number of notifications
100
2016
Year and Month
Newly acquired
Unspecified
Total
11
Table 15 Number of newly acquired and unspecified hepatitis B notifications in WA, for the two most recent
12-month periods
Disease status

01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Percent
Number
Percent
Newly acquired
Unspecified
27
643
4%
96%
28
589
5%
95%
Total
670
100%
617
100%
The number of newly acquired hepatitis B notifications remained stable and the number
of unspecified hepatitis B notifications increased by 9%, compared to the previous 12month period. The sharp increase in unspecified hepatitis B notifications in May and June
2016 is a reporting artefact resulting from the addition of a backlog of notifications from
one pathology laboratory.
Table 16 Number and proportion of hepatitis B notifications (newly acquired + unspecified) in WA by sex,
for the two most recent 12-month periods
Sex
Note:
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Percent
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Percent
Male
348
52%
321
52%
Female
Male:Female ratio
322
1.1
48%
N/A
296
1.1
48%
N/A
Total
670
100%
617
100%
N/A = Not applicable
Table 17 Number and proportion of hepatitis B notifications (newly acquired + unspecified) in WA by age
group, for the two most recent 12-month periods
Age group 01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
(Years)
Number
Percent
0–9

0
0%
10–14
7
15–19
16
20–24
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Percent
5
1%
1%
9
1%
2%
18
3%
47
7%
43
7%
25–29
92
14%
86
14%
30–34
126
19%
126
20%
35–39
95
14%
86
14%
40–44
86
13%
74
12%
45–49
49
7%
53
9%
50–54
61
9%
34
6%
55–59
60+
33
58
5%
9%
42
41
7%
7%
Total
670
100%
617
100%
There was little change in the age distribution of hepatitis B cases in the past two 12month periods.
12
Table 18 Number and crude rate of hepatitis B notifications (newly acquired + unspecified) in WA by
Aboriginality, for the two most recent 12-month periods
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Aboriginality
Number
Aboriginal
Rate
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Rate
31
38.1
30
37.4
Non-Aboriginal
537
20.9
514
20.4
Unknown
Aboriginal:Non-Aboriginal ratio
102
0.1
N/A
1.8
73
0.1
N/A
1.8
Total
670
25.2
617
23.8
Notes: Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
N/A = Not applicable
Table 19 Number and crude rate of hepatitis B notifications (newly acquired + unspecified) in WA by
region, for the two most recent 12-month periods
Region
Goldfields
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Rate
Pilbara
South Metropolitan
South West
15
25.0
2
3.3
6
10.0
13
30.4
7
16.7
6
8.7
12
17.5
267
24.5
248
23.3
15
18.4
19
24.2
317
31.8
270
27.8
18
10.3
23
13.4
Wheatbelt
5
6.5
13
17.0
Other
Unknown
9
0
N/A
N/A
4
0
N/A
N/A
670
25.2
617
24.5
Total
Notes:
Rate
29.7
Midwest
North Metropolitan
Number
18
Great Southern
Kimberley
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
Unknown = Unknown residential address within WA
N/A = Not applicable

Trends in the notification rate varied between regions. Although based on small numbers,
rates decreased in the Great Southern and Wheatbelt regions and increased in the Kimberley
region.
13
Hepatitis C
Figure 6 Number of hepatitis C notifications in WA by disease status, for the two most recent 12-month
periods
140
Number of notifications
120
100
80
60
40
20
2014
Jun
Apr
May
Mar
Jan
2015
Feb
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
Apr
May
Mar
Jan
Feb
Dec
Oct
Nov
Sep
Jul
Aug
0
2016
Year and Month
Newly acquired
Unspecified
Total
Table 20 Number of hepatitis C notifications in WA by disease status, for the two most recent 12-month
periods
Disease status

01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Percent
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Percent
Newly acquired
Unspecified
164
1,006
14%
86%
154
986
14%
86%
Total
1,170
100%
1,140
100%
The number of newly and unspecified acquired hepatitis C notifications remained
relatively stable, compared to the previous 12-month period.
Table 21 Number, proportion and ratio of hepatitis C notifications (newly acquired + unspecified) in WA by
sex, for the two most recent 12-month periods
Sex
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Percent
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Percent
Male
778
66%
771
68%
Female
Male:Female ratio
392
2.0
34%
N/A
369
2.1
32%
N/A
1,170
100%
1,140
100%
Total
N/A = Not applicable
14
Table 22 Number and proportion of hepatitis C notifications (newly acquired + unspecified) in WA by age
group, for the two most recent 12-month periods
Age group 01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
(Years)
Number
Percent
0–9

01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
2
0%
10–14
0
15–19
29
20–24
Percent
5
0%
0%
0
0%
2%
35
3%
139
12%
132
12%
25–29
154
13%
155
14%
30–34
140
12%
163
14%
35–39
158
14%
152
13%
40–44
132
11%
135
12%
45–49
133
11%
107
9%
50–54
117
10%
101
9%
55–59
60+
78
88
7%
8%
90
65
8%
6%
Total
1,170
100%
1,140
100%
There was little change in the age distribution of hepatitis C notifications between the two
12-month periods.
Table 23 Number and crude rate of hepatitis C notifications (newly acquired + unspecified) in WA by
Aboriginality, for the two most recent 12-month periods
Aboriginality
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Rate
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Rate
Aboriginal
253
311.0
232
288.9
Non-Aboriginal
791
30.7
817
32.5
Unknown
Aboriginal:Non-Aboriginal ratio
126
0.3
N/A
10.1
91
0.3
N/A
8.9
1,170
44.1
1,140
43.9
Total
Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
N/A = Not applicable

The hepatitis C notification rate increased by 8% among Aboriginal people and
decreased by 5% among non-Aboriginal people, resulting in an increase in the rate ratio
compared to the previous 12-month period.
15
Table 24 Number and crude rate of hepatitis C notifications (newly acquired + unspecified) in WA by
region, for the two most recent 12-month periods
Region
01 Jul 15 - 30 Jun 16 Period
Number
Rate
01 Jul 14 - 30 Jun 15 Period
Number
Rate
Goldfields
31
51.2
29
48.4
Great Southern
38
63.1
55
91.9
Kimberley
18
42.1
21
50.2
Midwest
47
67.8
45
65.8
430
39.5
403
37.8
North Metropolitan
Pilbara
31
38.1
20
25.5
449
45.0
438
45.0
South West
82
46.8
71
41.4
Wheatbelt
32
41.4
40
52.2
Other
Unknown
12
0
N/A
N/A
18
0
N/A
N/A
1,170
44.1
1,140
45.3
South Metropolitan
Total
Rate = Crude notification rate per 100,000 population
Other = Interstate + Overseas
Unknown = Unknown residential address within WA
N/A = Not applicable

Trends in the notification rate varied between regions. Most notable were the decreases
in the Great Southern (31%) and Wheatbelt (22%) regions and the increase in the
Pilbara (49%) region.
16
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© Department of Health 2016