Sharp Increase In Hepatitis A Cases Reported In Gloucester County

In a typical year, Gloucester County will see about 10 cases of Hepatitis A in a year. This year, though, eight cases have been reported though the first two months, according to the county health department.

The cases are unconnected, but the health department advises residents to get vaccinated against the disease. Particularly high-risk groups include:
* People who have close, personal contact with someone who has Hepatitis A
* People who are homeless
* People who use injected or non-injected street drugs
* Men who have sex with men

There is a vaccination available for Hepatitis A. Those who are at increased risk should contact their physician’s office to be vaccinated. Anyone who doesn’t have health insurance contact the Gloucester County Department of Health to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine at no cost.

Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Hepatitis A can also spread from close personal contact with an infected person such as through sex or caring for someone who is ill. Person to person transmission of Hepatitis A virus between persons who report drug use and/or homelessness could result from contaminated needles and other injection equipment or from generally poor sanitary conditions.

The following are symptoms of Hepatitis A:

* Fever
* Fatigue
· Loss of appetite
· Nausea
· Vomiting
· Abdominal pain
· Dark urine
· Diarrhea
· Clay-colored stools
· Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

For more information:
Visit or call: Gloucester County Department of Health: www.gloucestercountynj.gov; 856-218-4101.
New Jersey Department of Health: https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/hepatitisa.shtml
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/

Photo by Joe Raedle / Staff / Getty Images News / Getty Images.