Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
José A. Álvarez County of San Diego Communications Office
Forty-two hepatitis A cases have been reported in the region since November 2016, more than four times the monthly average typically reported, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced April 7.
Thirty-six people were hospitalized and two died from the disease. Twenty-three cases are men, and the cases range in age from 26 to 72 years, with an average age of 42 years.
Twenty-nine cases have a history of substance abuse, and 27 are homeless. Five people became ill with hepatitis A after traveling outside the United States. No common sources of infection have been identified, and investigations are still continuing.
“The county is working closely with the local health community to increase outreach to vulnerable populations to raise awareness and promote hepatitis A vaccination,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., county public health officer. “Those at risk are urged to talk to their health care providers and get vaccinated for hepatitis A.”
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease. While the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule, most adults have not been vaccinated and may be susceptible to the hepatitis A virus.
Two doses of hepatitis A vaccine are recommended for:
Symptoms usually appear over a number of days and last less than two months. However, some people can be ill for as long as six months. Hepatitis A can sometimes cause liver failure and death.
Risk factors for hepatitis A infection include living with or having sexual contact with someone who has the virus, or sharing injection or non-injection illegal drugs with someone who is infected. The hepatitis A virus can also be transmitted through contaminated food or water.
You should check your hepatitis A vaccination status and talk to your health care provider about the risks for hepatitis A. If you are planning an international trip, you should check wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel to see if hepatitis A vaccination is recommended before going to your intended destinations.
Hepatitis A vaccine is available at many doctors’ offices and clinics and at some retail pharmacies. If you don’t have medical insurance, you can go to a County public health center to get vaccinated. For a list of locations, visit www.sdiz.org or call 211.
For general information on hepatitis A, visit www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm.
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