Hepatitis A outbreak reported among homeless, drug users

A record number of hepatitis A cases have been reported in Orange County this year, prompting health officials to urge residents to get vaccinated against the virus.

The 53 cases represent a large increase from the previous five years, when the county recorded between zero to 10 cases of hepatitis A each year, health officials said.

What’s also concerning is that the majority of the cases this year have been transmitted locally — only seven cases were in travelers. In contrast, six of the 10 cases last year were in travelers.

“This is probably the tip of the iceberg,” said Alvina Chu, an epidemiologist at the Orange County health department. “Some people may have gotten sick and recovered without going to do the doctor.”

The number of cases has been steadily increasing in Florida, from 122 cases in 2016 to 276 cases in 2017, and 280 cases as of Oct. 20 this year, according to data from the Florida Department of Health.

Pinellas and Hillsborough counties recently issued advisories similar to Orange County, encouraging residents to get vaccinated.

The Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is transmitted through contaminated food, dirty needles used for injecting drugs or sexual contact with an infected person.

Symptoms include yellowing of the skin and eyes, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and dark urine.

The infection can cause mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Most people recover completely without lasting liver damage, but hepatitis A can also lead to liver failure and death in rare cases, according to the CDC.

Because the infection is caused by a virus, treatment usually involves supportive care such as rest and fluids. It can take several months for people with Hepatitis A to start feeling better, according to the CDC.

Homeless people, those who inject illicit drugs and gay men are at the highest risk for getting infected with hepatitis A.

In Orange County, the majority of the locally transmitted

EDUARDO CONTRERAS/AP In this 2017 photo, a worker tapes signage telling people to get vaccinated to protect themselves against hepatitis A on hand washing sinks installed at the Neil Good Day Center in downtown San Diego.