Surge in reported cases of Hepatitis A

Rise thought to be linked to drug use; immunization clinics being held this week

WATERLOO REGION — Region of Waterloo Public Health is hosting drop-in immunization clinics following a rise in reported cases of Hepatitis A.

On average about six cases of the viral liver infection are reported to public health a year, but since May there have been 19 cases, the region said in a news release.

“We have noticed that a common factor among the large majority of the cases is drug use,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, associate medical officer of health for the region.

It is not limited to a specific method of drug use and can be spread through, for example, inhalation and intravenous use, she said. When a patient presents to a doctor with the infection, it is automatically reported to public health.

“It’s often characterized by what we call jaundice, so that’s yellowing of the skin and the white’s of the eyes, dark urine and pale stools,” said Wang.

Often before someone displays symptoms of jaundice, they can experience abdominal pain, fever, nausea and diarrhea.

“It generally resolves by itself after an acute phase and does not result in chronic illness. However, it can make people pretty sick especially if they already have conditions like liver disease,” said Wang.

Since early June, public health has immunized 200 people after reaching out to community partners who work with people who may be at risk.

While Hepatitis A can be contracted in other ways, including sexual contact, public health has noticed an uptick in contraction by drug users.

“We want to ask people who consume drugs to be immunized,” said Wang. “It is a group for whom the vaccine is publicly funded.”

Immunization clinics are in Waterloo at 99 Regina St. South and in Cambridge at 150 Main St., Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.