Since early 2017, San Diego County health officials have reported 333 hepatitis A cases in the local outbreak, 70 percent requiring hospitalization.
Health officials also reported an additional fatality, bringing the total to 11.
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency reports the outbreak investigation is ongoing and note some difficulties contacting many individuals sickened with the illness who are homeless and/or illicit drug users.
LISTEN: Talking Hepatitis A with Dr Amesh Adalja
To date, no common source of food, beverage, or other cause has been identified; as a result, the source of the outbreak remains undetermined.
Save 12%! SeaWorld® San Antonio
Health officials remind the public that hepatitis A can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine and recommend the following people should get vaccinated:
- Individuals who are homeless.
- Individuals who work with homeless and/or users of illegal drugs.
- Travelers to countries with high or medium rates of HAV.
- Men who have sex with men.
- Users of injection and non-injection illegal drugs.
- Individuals with chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
- Anyone who is concerned about HAV exposure and wants to be immune.
- Persons with clotting factor disorders.
Related:
- Alabama: 6th Vibrio case confirmed in Mobile County
- Tularemia kills two cats in the North Pole, sickens snowshoe hares around Fairbanks
- Diphyllobothrium: The largest known tapeworms that can infect people
- Plague positive fleas detected near Flagstaff
- UK reports 78 Cyclospora cases so far in 2017
- Brucella prompts raw milk recall in Texas
