The Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being is investigating an outbreak of the extremely contagious liver illness hepatitis A amongst its homeless inhabitants.
Well being officers mentioned 5 circumstances of hepatitis A have been reported since mid-March amongst folks experiencing homelessness. The virus, which might unfold amongst folks even earlier than they’ve signs, may be discovered within the stool and blood of those that have been contaminated. Signs embrace fever, nausea, vomiting, belly ache, diarrhea, darkish urine and yellow eyes and pores and skin.
“People which are unhoused are at greater threat for contracting hepatitis A an infection as a result of they typically have restricted entry to hand-washing and toileting amenities,” the division wrote in a press release.
The well being division mentioned it was providing free hepatitis A vaccines to folks experiencing homelessness in encampments and interim housing websites the place there’s a threat of potential publicity. The vaccine may be given to folks even after they’ve been uncovered to guard towards growing the an infection.
The division mentioned it was working carefully with healthcare and homeless companies suppliers to extend consciousness in regards to the virus and rising dangers. It urged residents to get vaccinated and to clean their arms after utilizing the toilet.
California’s final identified hepatitis A outbreak occurred between 2016 and 2018, largely amongst folks experiencing homelessness or folks utilizing medicine in settings with restricted sanitation.
When the outbreak was contained in 2018, the state reported 708 circumstances. Greater than 60% of these contaminated required hospitalization, and a minimum of 21 folks died, in accordance with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Final yr, an identical outbreak occurred among the many homeless inhabitants in Portland, Maine. Well being officers there recorded a minimum of 18 confirmed circumstances of hepatitis A within the metropolis’s homeless inhabitants.
To date, three states have ongoing hepatitis A outbreaks.
Source link
