A few weeks ago, articles were published concerning the Kentucky hepatitis A virus (HAV) outbreak, the nation’s largest, and the states response, or lack of adequate response.
The response was criticized as “too low and too slow”.
As the state reports it’s 44th hepatitis A fatality, the Kentucky legislature has advanced a proposal that calls for a review of the state’s response to a hepatitis A outbreak, Senate Concurrent Resolution 154, which would direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to examine Kentucky’s recent response to the hepatitis A outbreak and make recommendations to make future responses to outbreaks more effective.
The resolution has cleared the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and goes to the full Senate.
To date, the outbreak that was declared in Nov. 2017, has sickened 4,288, hospitalizing 2,065.
Florida: 232 hepatitis A cases reported in February
Similar to hepatitis A outbreaks in other states, the primary risk factors have been illicit drug use and homelessness. A contaminated food source has not been identified, and HAV transmission is believed to have occurred through person-to-person contact.
- Rabies: Goat potentially exposes 9 in South Carolina
- MERS: 76 cases reported in February
- Ebola, violence on health workers and more cases
- Uganda: Probable pneumonic plague reported in Zombo District
- Measles: 2,200 additional cases reported in the Philippines in 5 days
- Publix, Winn-Dixie announce recall of Pillsbury Unbleached All Purpose Flour due to Salmonella risk
One thought on “Kentucky reports 44th hepatitis A death as lawmakers look at response”