About two weeks ago, Pinellas County, FL health officials reported a rise in hepatitis A cases–reporting some 58 cases through late October.
In neighboring Hillsborough County they are seeing the same thing. Health officials report 38 cases of hepatitis A as of October 25, 2018 “unprecedented number”, officials note.
The 38 cases reported this year to date is higher than the 36 cases reported in the previous five years.
Seven out of 10 cases are in men and 37 percent are known drug users.
Statewide, Florida has reported at least 180 cases and is not alone in reporting an increase in cases. A number of states have reported large outbreaks since 2017 to include Kentucky, West Virginia and Michigan, to name a few.
These outbreaks have been primarily linked to persons who use injection and non-injection drugs, and/or persons who are homeless, and their close direct contacts.
- Tokyo rubella cases top 500
- Polio: Wild poliovirus cases in 2018 top 2017 total
- Measles outbreak in Israel: 1,150 cases, infant death reported
- Showerheads and mycobacterial lung infections: Study describes correlation
- Wyoming reports 36 percent increase in syphilis
- Lyme disease: Rising temperatures are expected to boost the number of cases in the US
- New Jersey: Additional confirmed adenovirus case; Voorhees facility affected
Like it or not wherever you see a high rate of immigration you see homelessness and a housing shortage. Where you see immigration and homelessness you see Hep A.