CDC Alerts Providers to Hepatitis A Outbreak in Multiple States

Jun 11, 2018 - 02:21 PM
CDC-hepA-advisory

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating hepatitis A outbreaks in multiple states among people reporting drug use and/or homelessness and their contacts, the agency said in an advisory today. California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Utah and West Virginia have reported a total of more than 2,500 infections spread through person-to-person contact since January 2017, the largest outbreak since vaccination was recommended for at-risk populations in 1996 and the first large outbreak among homeless Americans, CDC said. Health care providers should consider hepatitis A in anyone with jaundice and clinically compatible symptoms; encourage vaccination for at-risk populations or within two weeks of exposure to the virus; and report all diagnosed hepatitis A cases to their public health department, the agency said. CDC said it continues to monitor demand for the adult vaccine, which has experienced some supply constraints during the outbreak but is more readily available now.

Related News Articles

Headline
AHA podcast: Reducing Stigma in Substance Use Disorder Care 
In this conversation, three leaders from CommonSpirit Health explore how the organization is confronting stigma about substance use head-on through education,…
Headline
HRSA to award grants from two areas of rural opioid response program
The Health Resources and Services Administration will award grants to rural hospitals and other providers from two areas of its Rural Communities Opioid…
Perspective
Behavioral Health Is Health Care
Public
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to elevate a conversation that hospitals and health systems live every day. Behavioral health is inseparable from…
Headline
AHRQ seeks nominees to serve on U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has issued a request for nominations for candidates to serve on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. While…
Headline
FDA fast-tracks the development of psychedelic medications following president’s executive order
The Food and Drug Administration today announced it is accelerating regulatory action on a new class of psychedelic-based therapies, following an April 18…
Perspective
Hospitals Are Leading the Way to a Healthier America
Public
This week, more than 1,000 hospital and health system leaders came to Washington, D.C., united by a shared responsibility: to ensure every community has access…