Hepatitis A Found In Jeffco Jail Inmate, Adding To CO Outbreak

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — An inmate at the Jefferson County Jail was taken to the hospital Tuesday after complaining of stomach pain and ultimately was diagnosed with Hepatitis A, according to Jeffco Public Health officials.

The inmate was booked into the jail in early August, a release said, and is serving a 60-day sentence. The inmate is still hospitalized, according to officials.

While there is a low risk of exposure to the public, officials said other at-risk inmates are receiving post-exposure vaccinations and the Sheriff’s Office has put public health recommendations into place to prevent the spread of the disease. Detentions staff is working to identify and contact individuals who were recently released but may have come in contact with the affected inmate prior to release.

Hepatitis A is a rare but highly contagious disease that causes liver infection and is usually transmitted from close, personal contact with an infected person, such as through having sex, caring for someone who is ill, or using drugs with others, according to Jeffco Public Health. The disease can also spread through contaminated food.

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

The following number of cases have been documented around the Denver metro area:

• El Paso County: 104
• Denver County: 35
• Fremont County: 13
• Jefferson County: 3
• Douglas County: 1
• Arapahoe County: 1
• Boulder County: 1

In May, Colorado public health agencies had provided nearly 6,000 hepatitis A vaccinations to at-risk populations to mitigate the outbreak that began in October 2018. In July, Denver Public Health officials increased access to hepatitis A vaccinations.

Those at risk for contracting hepatitis A include:

• People who are transient or experiencing homelessness.
• People with substance use issues, such as use of injection and non-injection drugs.
• People who are in county or city jails.
• People who live with, have close contact with, or have sex with someone who has hepatitis A.
• People with chronic liver disease.
• Men who have sexual contact with other men.
• People who travel to foreign countries.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include low appetite, fatigue, upset stomach, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, joint pain, diarrhea, dark urine or light colored stools, and jaundice.

Those in Jefferson County who may be at higher risk for contracting hepatitis A are encouraged to call the Jefferson County Public Health immunization clinic at 303-239-7078. To find out other locations to get vaccinated, call 877-462-2911 or visit vaccinefinder.org.

SEE ALSO:

Hepatitis A Outbreak Leads to 6,000 Vaccinations In Colorado

Denver Health Officials Warn Of Hepatitis A Outbreak