Hepatitis A on rise in part of southwest Virginia
MARION, Va. - Health officials in part of southwest Virginia are working to contain an outbreak of hepatitis A. As of Tuesday, there have been 23 confirmed cases in the Mount Rogers Health District so far in 2019. The health district includes Wythe, Bland, Carroll and Grayson counties and the city of Galax. Mount Rogers Health District population health manager Breanne Forbes Hubbard said a high number of cases in surrounding states may be to blame for the outbreak in the health district. You can help prevent the spread of hepatitis A through proper handwashing and getting vaccinated.
Philadelphia declares health emergency after Hepatitis A surge
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images(CNN) - The Philadelphia Department of Health has declared a public health emergency due to a surge in Hepatitis A, Dr. Thomas A. Farley, Health Commissioner of the City, said Thursday. Preliminary information indicates 67% of people who have been diagnosed with Hepatitis A say they have used drugs, while 26% report homelessness, according to health officials. Southern New Jersey and suburban Pennsylvania counties around Philadelphia are also reporting higher than usual numbers of Hepatitis A among the same at-risk populations, according to the city's health department. The Hepatitis A vaccine requires two doses given at least six months apart for long-lasting protection, according to the CDC. Context for the crisisThe 2017 Hepatitis A epidemic in San Diego County, California, included 592 infections, primarily among the homeless and illegal drug users.