Officials with the Central District Health Department has reported an increase in hepatitis A in the Boise, ID area.
Since the first of the year, six hepatitis A cases have been reported among Ada and Elmore County residents. Typically, 1-2 cases are reported in an entire calendar year.
All reported cases have been men between the ages of 30 and 60. Only one reported out-of-state travel during the most likely exposure period. No common risk factors for illness have been found.
Hepatitis A virus is typically spread person-to-person through fecal-oral transmission. Older children and adults usually develop jaundice, but young children are often asymptomatic. The average incubation period for hepatitis A is 28 days with a range of 15-50 days, and most cases are self-limited.
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Although routine vaccination for hepatitis A is always recommended for anyone who wants to prevent infection, exposed individuals will not benefit from prophylaxis unless the vaccine or immunoglobulin is given within 14 days of exposure.
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