Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can be spread when a person unknowingly eats or drinks something contaminated with any amount of stool from an infected person. Washing hands before and after using the bathroom can help stop the spread of this infectious disease. The statewide outbreak began in November of 2017, and the numbers of those affected continue to climb.
WBONTV spoke to the Public Health Director here in Madison County, Nancy Crewe who gives us the update on the current situation.
Crewe advised that the number of cases have dropped dramatically since March. There has only been 1 case of Hep A so far in the month of April. Watch the video to learn more.
The Hep A vaccine is given in two doses six months apart and can be provided at local pharmacies and some medical providers. Officials say that most insurance plans will cover the immunization.
To further help in lowering the percentage of the disease, The Health Department has been tracking the number of vaccines that each of the drugstores have, and referring people who have insurance to their physicians ore to drugstores to get the vaccines.
Symptoms of those infected do not appear noticeable until 2 weeks after the infection enters the body. Such symptoms include decreased appetite, jaundice, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools, and fatigue. Children do not often exhibit these symptoms from this potentially deadly disease.
