Wisconsin Officials Encourage Vaccination Against Hepatitis A

MILWAUKEE, WI -- Health officials in Wisconsin say that in light of ongoing, significant outbreaks of hepatitis A throughout the U.S., they are encouraging vaccination against the hepatitis A virus.

"Although there is not a current outbreak in Wisconsin, the state did have four cases of hepatitis A reported earlier this year. Outbreaks have occurred in other Midwest states, including Illinois, and preparation for such an outbreak in Wisconsin is ongoing," officials with the state department of Health and Human Services said this week.

Each year Wisconsin typically has 10-30 cases of hepatitis A reported, they said.

"Transmission is predominantly by direct person-to-person contact, related to crowding and poor hygiene," according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The disease is preventable with proper vaccination, though. As such, America's hepatitis A rates plummeted once vaccinations became widely available in 1996. But that trend is reversing, the U.S. Center for Disease Control said, rand an increase in the number of community-wide hepatitis A outbreaks has increased in a dozen states: California, Utah, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, North Carolina and Massachusetts.

Most adults in Wisconsin have not been vaccinated

Hepatitis A is spread primarily by eating or drinking food or water with the virus in it. It can also be spread by sharing drugs or drug works, or having sexual contact with someone infected with hepatitis A.

Infection from hepatitis A is preventable with a vaccine, which anyone can get. The vaccine for hepatitis A is different from the vaccine for hepatitis B. Most adults in Wisconsin have not yet been vaccinated for hepatitis A.

Health officials said some groups are at higher risk than others to get hepatitis A. People who should be vaccinated for hepatitis A include:

• Travelers to places where hepatitis A is common or where outbreaks are happening.
• People who use drugs (injection or non-injection, including marijuana).
• People who are experiencing homelessness.
• Men who have sex with men.
• People who are, or were recently incarcerated.
• People with direct contact with others who have hepatitis A.
• People with chronic or long-term liver disease, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
• People with blood clotting disorders.
• All children one year of age or older.
• Anyone else who wishes to be protected against hepatitis A.

State officials are encouraging residents to call their doctor or local health department to learn how to get vaccinated.

DHS has created a fact sheet, “Hepatitis A: Just the Facts,” with information on preventing hepatitis A, its signs and symptoms, and who is at highest risk of getting the disease.