Hepatitis A Found In Boulder County Jail Inmate

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — An inmate at the Boulder County Jail tested positive for hepatitis A over the weekend, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department. Boulder County Public Health is now saying any inmate released after Aug. 20 is at risk for developing the disease.

The inmate, who’s been in custody since mid-August, started feeling sick early last week and was examined by a jail doctor, according to sheriff’s office officials. After blood tests, it was confirmed the inmate had developed hepatitis A. The inmate was moved to a quarantined area within the jail to prevent spreading the disease.

Jail officials worked with Boulder County Public Health to give vaccinations to everyone who had contact with the sick inmate. So far. no other inmates or jail staff have exhibited signs or symptoms of hepatitis A, sheriff’s office officials said.

The most recent diagnosis follows a similar report last week where an inmate at the Jefferson County Jail was taken to the hospital after complaining of stomach pain and was also diagnosed with Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A cases are on the rise in Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. As of Sept. 11, Colorado has 163 recorded outbreak cases of hepatitis A, resulting in 120 hospitalizations. Only one documented death resulted from the outbreak — a person described only as a Denver resident, KUSA-TV reports.

Public health officials urge anyone released from the Boulder County Jail since Aug. 20 to contact their health care provider or call Boulder County Public Health at 303-413-7500. They may also check vaccinefinder.org for a retail location to receive a vaccination. People needing assistance to pay for the vaccination should contact Boulder County Public Health.