Six New Cases Of Hepatitis A
Within Past Week
IDPH encourages vaccination for people at
greatest risk
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[December 17, 2018]
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting six new
cases of hepatitis A within the past week among individuals at high
risk for infection. On average there are 70 cases of hepatitis A
reported in Illinois each year. To date, 75 cases of hepatitis A
have been confirmed statewide in 2018. Three of the most recent
cases were reported in east-central Illinois, one in central
Illinois, and two in suburban Cook County.
While we are only slightly above our annual average for the number
of hepatitis A cases, the accelerated rate of new cases in Illinois,
not only in the past week, but the past month, is concerning, said
IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. We encourage those at
highest risk for infection, including men who have sex with men,
homeless individuals, and those who use drugs, to get vaccinated
against hepatitis A.
Among the 75 cases this year, IDPH has identified 17 cases to be
part of an outbreak. Those 17 individuals either fall into one or
more of the groups at high risk for infection, have test results
showing they match one of the U.S. outbreak strains, or are
connected to a person who meets one of the above categories.
States across the country, including states bordering Illinois, are
seeing large hepatitis A outbreaks.
Indiana 723 cases since September 2017
Kentucky 3,021 cases since August 2017
Missouri 234 cases since September 2017
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In an effort to prevent additional hepatitis A cases in Illinois, IDPH is
working with 38 local health departments around the state covering 41 counties
to make hepatitis A vaccine more readily available.
In early September 2018, IDPH requested a large number of hepatitis A vaccines
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That vaccine is being
delivered to local health departments to be available for free or at a reduced
cost. Men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, and people who do not
have a home should check with their health department about a free or reduced
cost hepatitis A vaccine.
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Hepatitis A is an infection that can damage the liver, and is passed easily from
one person to another through food, water, drug use, and sex. Hepatitis A
infection is a vaccine-preventable illness. Symptoms include fever, fatigue,
loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored
bowel movements, joint pain, and jaundice. For more information about hepatitis
A, go to the IDPH website or to
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HAV/ index.htm.
[Illinois Department of Public Health] |