Health & Fitness
Hepatitis A Outbreak Includes Jefferson County
An outbreak of Hepatitis A has been reported in 21 counties in Alabama, and now includes Jefferson County.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — The Alabama Department of Health reports 132 confirmed cases of Hepatitis A in 21 Alabama counties, a group that now includes Alabama's most populous county.
The outbreak which began last September in northeast Alabama has now spread to Jefferson County. Three cases of Hepatitis A were confirmed in July in Jefferson County, and 30 cases statewide - which is the highest number of monthly cases since the outbreak began nearly a year ago.
The Alabama Department of Health says persons at highest risk for Hepatitis A include users of illegal substances, homeless persons, men with same sex partners, and close contacts. Health officials said 63 percent of the victims are men with an average age of 39. The majority of cases were spread by street drug use.
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Symptoms of Hepatitis A usually occur 28 days after getting the virus, and may include:
- Fever
- Dark urine
- Feeling tired
- Pale feces
- Decreased appetite
- Joint pain
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Stomach pain or discomfort
Jefferson County has reached 3 cases of Hepatitis A which is deemed an outbreak by the Al. Dept. of Public Health. It’s just a wake-up call to know your risk. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting vaccinated! pic.twitter.com/vPDqF9yCqS
— JCDH (@jcdhtweets) August 20, 2019
Find out what's happening in Birminghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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