State warns of hepatitis outbreak

The Ohio Department of Health declared a statewide outbreak of hepatitis A on Friday.

Ohio reported 79 cases so far this year, which is double the amount of cases reported in all of 2017.

Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and West Virginia are also experiencing outbreaks. A number of hepatitis A cases in Ohio have been linked to those outbreaks.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease that usually spreads when someone comes into contact with fecal matter of an infected person. It can also spread from close contact, including sex. Hepatitis A can be prevented through a vaccine.

“Good hand- washing and vaccination are the best ways to prevent hepatitis A in at- risk individuals,” said Sietske de Fijter, state epidemiologist and chief of the Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Infectious Diseases, in a news release.

Those at an increased risk for hepatitis A include people with direct contact with others infected with the virus, those who traveled to countries where the virus is widespread, men who have sex with men and people who use street drugs.

The homeless and those who do drugs are at higher risk because they often don't have adequate hygiene, said Ohio Department of Health spokesman Russ Kennedy.

Health officials urge people with one or more risk factors, or if they know someone with one or more risk factors, to get vaccinated for hepatitis A.

According to state health officials, the majority of Ohio's cases are among people who use illegal drugs, homeless people, those who have been sent to jail, men who have sex with men and those already infected with hepatitis C.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, stomach pain, nausea, clay- colored stool and jaundice.