Since the beginning of 2018, Florida state health officials have reported 2014 hepatitis A outbreak cases, including 1466 in 2019 alone. 21 fatalities have been seen as of May 31.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, five counties have reported more than 100 cases: Pinellas (383), Pasco (340), Orange (208), Hillsborough (187) and Volusia (111).
Nationally, since the outbreaks were first identified in 2016, 22 states have publicly reported the following as of June 7, 2019: 19,723 cases, 11,331 (57%) hospitalizations and 189 fatalities.
The following groups are at highest risk for acquiring hepatitis A infection or developing serious complications from hepatitis A infection in these outbreaks and should be offered the hepatitis A vaccine in order to prevent or control an outbreak:
- People who use drugs (injection or non-injection)
- People experiencing unstable housing or homelessness
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- People who are currently or were recently incarcerated
- People with chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
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