This post was created on 08/06/2019.

Please be aware that there is a current acute Hepatitis A outbreak in Florida. Since 2018, an increase in cases of hepatitis A infection have been identified throughout the state. During this time, the state has seen more than 2,500 cases of hepatitis A and the number continues to rise. Pasco County has been identified as one of the top five impacted counties in Florida. 

Although most of the hepatitis A cases seen throughout the state have been in unvaccinated adults with varying risk factors, unvaccinated children are at risk as well. We encourage you to review your child’s vaccination records to ensure they have received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine. The vaccine is a two-dose series, (six months apart) and is not required for school entry; therefore, your child may or may not have received it during their routine childhood immunizations.

If your child does not have two doses of vaccine, they can receive the vaccine from their pediatrician or from any of the three health department sites in Pasco County. Parents are encouraged to check their own vaccination records, as well.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A. People who should be vaccinated for hepatitis A include:

• All children at age 1 year
• People who are experiencing homelessness
• Users of recreational drugs, whether injected or not
• Men who have sexual encounters with other men
• People with direct contact with others who have hepatitis A
• Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common
• People with chronic or long-term liver disease, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C
• People with clotting-factor disorders
• Family and caregivers of adoptees from countries where hepatitis A is common

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease that attacks the liver. People infected with hepatitis A are most contagious from two weeks before onset of symptoms to one week afterwards. Not everyone who is infected will have all the symptoms. Symptoms usually start within 28 days of exposure to the virus with a range of 15-50 days. Symptoms can include:

• Jaundice (yellowing skin and whites of eyes)
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue/tired
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Dark-colored urine
• Pale or clay-colored stool

How is Hepatitis A Infection Prevented or Treated?

• Practicing good hand hygiene – including thoroughly washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food – plays an important role in preventing the spread of hepatitis A.
• Hepatitis A vaccine is the best method of preventing infection.
• No medicines can cure the disease once symptoms appear.
• People with hepatitis A symptoms should seek medical care immediately.
• Most people get better over time but may need to be hospitalized.
• Previous infection with hepatitis A provides immunity for the rest of a person’s life.
• People that are exposed to hepatitis A may be given vaccine or immune globulin within 14 days of exposure to prevent infection.

 

The Department of Health in Pasco has established a hotline for people who have questions about hepatitis A. The number to call is (727) 619-0400.