Hepatitis A outbreaks recorded in seven US states

During 2016-2018, outbreaks of hepatitis A, a viral infection that affects the liver, were reported in seven US states.

Фото: Depositphotos

These states include Tennessee, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Utah and West Virginia, reports CNN.

An increase in the number of hepatitis A diseases in these regions has been observed since the end of the 2017 year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of hepatitis A in all these states, with the exception of Michigan, were genetically identical or similar.

Symptoms of this disease include fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin and white of the eyes. The disease usually lasts less than two months, although some people may be sick for six months. Most patients recover completely after the disease and do not have serious liver damage.

Vaccination

Hepatitis A is usually spread through the use of contaminated food or water by people; less commonly, the virus is transmitted from person to person due to poor hygiene and close contact. Despite the lack of special treatment, doctors recommend rest, high-quality nutrition and the use of large amounts of fluid.

As a rule, people get sick from 15 to 50 days after the first virus infection. Infected people can be carriers of the virus one to two weeks before their symptoms appear and up to one week after the appearance of yellow skin, which is usually a late symptom.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection. The CDC does not categorize the hepatitis A vaccines licensed in the United States as more or less recommended.

Because of the outbreaks, the CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for homeless people and people who use drugs, two groups most at risk for infection.

As a rule, vaccination is also recommended for all children at the age of 1; men who have homosexual relationships; people with chronic liver disease; people with bleeding disorders; persons who have direct contact with people infected with hepatitis A; travelers to countries where hepatitis A is a common disease.

California

California became the first state to declare an outbreak in 2017, saying it began in November 2016. As of April 11, 2018, there have been 704 cases of hepatitis A infection, 461 hospitalizations, and 21 deaths due to the disease in California. Most of the cases — 587 — were in San Diego, although Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, Monterey and other counties were also affected.

Indiana

Since November, the Indiana State Department of Health has detected an increase in hepatitis A infection in the southern part of the state, with most patients living in Clark and Floyd counties.

As of 25 in May, 107 cases of hepatitis A with 51 hospitalization were recorded in the state.

Kentucky

In November, the Kentucky Department of Public Health reported an outbreak of hepatitis A in 2017. The state reported 629 cases, 401 hospitalization and 6 deaths as of 21 in May 2018.

Michigan

Michigan reported an outbreak of hepatitis A in August 2016, as of 23 in May 2018, 837 cases of the disease were recorded in the state, including 671 hospitalization and 27 deaths. Most of the patients were from Macomb, Wayne and Oakland counties, as well as from the city of Detroit.

Tennessee

Although the confirmed number of patients with hepatitis A in Nashville from December 2017 to 29 in May 2018 is less than 20 people, local authorities sounded the alarm because this figure exceeds the standard data for the region.

Utah

Utah announced the start of an outbreak of hepatitis A in January 2017, as of 29 in May, there were 266 cases of this disease. Residents of Salt Lake City, where 148 cases were reported, including two deaths, are mostly sick.

West Virginia

West Virginia has reported 106 cases of hepatitis A as of 23 May.

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