Denver Health Officials Warn Of Hepatitis A Outbreak

DENVER, CO — Four homeless people have been diagnosed with hepatitis A this year, Denver public health officials said. Three of the cases were diagnosed within the past four weeks.

“Our short-term response to this outbreak is to increase access to hepatitis A vaccination,” said Dr. Bill Burman, executive director of Denver Public Health, in a media release. “We are working with partners to provide almost daily vaccine clinics where at-risk persons live and get care: Stout Street Health Center, day shelters, syringe access programs, Civic Center Park, our own DPH clinics and many other sites.”

Although the risk of illness to the public is low, hepatitis A is a highly-contagious, vaccine-preventable disease of the liver. The disease can be spread through fecal-oral contamination, sharing drugs and equipment, or intimate contact with someone who is ill. Symptoms include jaundice, nausea, cola-colored urine and fatigue. Hand washing with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling food reduces the risk of transmission.

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“Longer term, we must work on the reasons why outbreaks of communicable diseases take place,” Burman said. “Those reasons include crowded living conditions, lack of access to primary care, poor nutrition and lack of easy access to hand-washing, showers and other sanitation."

Denver Public Health, the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment and other local agencies are working to reduce the risk and severity of Denver's hepatitis A outbreak.

Children are at very low risk of hepatitis A because the vaccine has been part of standard childhood immunizations for more than 10 years.

People who are at high risk of contracting hepatitis A can find a free vaccination clinic at or call the DPH Immunization clinic at 303-602-3520.