The second Eaton County case of hepatitis A reported on Jan. 5 is linked to the statewide Southeast Michigan Hepatitis A outbreak, according to the Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD).  

 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services now includes Eaton County in the outbreak jurisdiction and cases of hepatitis A will be automatically included in the outbreak.

 “The health department will be increasing our community outreach and vaccination efforts, especially in high-risk groups,” said Health Officer Colette Scrimger. “Making sure that our high-risk groups get vaccinated is one of our top priorities.”

 

Those with insurance that covers the vaccine should get vaccinated through their healthcare provider or local pharmacy. BEDHD has vaccine for most privately insured people.

 

Those who don’t have insurance or insurance that doesn’t cover the vaccine may qualify for a low-cost vaccine at the health department, if they are in a high-risk group.

 

ndividuals who don’t have insurance coverage for the vaccine, and are not in a high-risk group, may be vaccinated at the health department for $71 per dose. Call 517-541-2630 (Eaton County) or 269-798-4133 (Barry County) for an appointment.

 

To prevent getting or spreading the disease, always wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating. The health department recommends everyone be vaccinated by a series of two shots given six months apart. //

 

Vaccination is especially important for individuals at high-risk including those who:

*have acute or chronic liver disease, a history of substance abuse or are homeless or in transient living, are or have recently been incarcerated,

*travel to or work in countries with high or medium rates of hepatitis A, expect close personal contact (e.g., household or regular babysitting) with an international adoptee for the first 60 days after their arrival from a county with high or medium rates of hepatitis A,

*household members and/or sexual partners of someone with hepatitis A, men who have sex with other men, healthcare workers with direct patient care, food handlers,  

*anyone in close contact with any of the risk groups.

 

Two cases of hepatitis A in the county were laboratory confirmed to be linked to the outbreak; both since December 2017. One person has died and a third case has been reported.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, contagious liver disease often spread by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated with infected feces or by oral contact with contaminated objects.

 

The disease spreads easily among people who live together and sexual partners. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Illness generally occurs two to six weeks after being exposed to the virus. Symptoms include fatigue, stomach pain, yellow skin (jaundice), dark urine, and pale stool. Some people have no symptoms.

 

People who believe they have been exposed to hepatitis A or who have symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

For more visit  https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/.  For more on the Southeast Michigan Hepatitis A outbreak, visit http://michigan.gov/hepatitisaoutbreak.