CDC: Mecklenburg County Experiencing Hepatitis A Outbreak After Increase In Confirmed Cases

CHARLOTTE, NC — Concern over an outbreak of hepatitis A has Mecklenburg County health officials calling for a proactive vaccination program.

Since April 20, officials say five cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed and another case is suspected. That is higher than the average annual number, which health officials say constitutes an outbreak classification.

Officials say those confirmed cases have already been hospitalized, and the Center For Disease Control (CDC) is assisting with the evaluation of those infected.

In response to this increase, Mecklenburg County Public Health says they will begin a proactive vaccination program. Insured residents can get the vaccine from their regular healthcare provider, and free vaccinations will be made available to residents who are at risk of any of the following:

• Those who are household members, caregivers, or have sexual contact with someone who is infected with hepatitis A
• Men who have sexual encounters with other men
• Those who use recreational drugs, whether injected or not
• Recent travel from countries where hepatitis A is common
• Homeless individuals who do not have easy access to hand washing facilities

Anyone with at least one of the listed risk factors should visit either Northwest Health Department at 2845 Beatties Ford Road or Southeast Health Department at 249 Billingsly Road for their free vaccination. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can also be made by calling 704-336-6500.

Health officials say hepatitis A cases have been on the rise nationally since 2012. The CDC reported 1,200 cases, including 826 hospitalizations and 37 deaths between July 2016 and November 2017. So far, outbreaks have occurred in California, Utah, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, and West Virginia.

The CDC says Mecklenburg County is now experiencing an outbreak bases on national trends and the increase in local cases.

Here are the facts about Hepatitis A:

1. It’s a highly contagious liver disease caused by a virus spread from person to person. The illness can last for weeks to months. Only acute cases are reportable in North Carolina.
2. Hepatitis A spreads through the fecal-oral route, most commonly by forgetting to wash your hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers, having sexual contact with infected partners and eating or drinking foods contaminated by hepatitis A.
3. Hepatitis A symptoms include nausea, fever, yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine, grey feces, joint pain, feeling tired, loss of appetite and stomach pain.
4. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get the hepatitis A vaccine and to practice safe handwashing procedures – wash your hands under warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before you prepare food.
5. Again, the most at-risk groups for hepatitis A are people who come into contact with someone who has hepatitis A, travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common, men who have sexual contact with men, people who use drugs (both injection and non-injection) and people with clotting factor disorders.

CLICK HERE to get more information on hepatitis A.