Click to Translate to English Click to Translate to French  Click to Translate to Spanish  Click to Translate to German  Click to Translate to Italian  Click to Translate to Japanese  Click to Translate to Chinese Simplified  Click to Translate to Korean  Click to Translate to Arabic  Click to Translate to Russian  Click to Translate to Portuguese  Click to Translate to Myanmar (Burmese)

PANDEMIC ALERT LEVEL
123456
Forum Home Forum Home > Coronavirus Pandemic: State Discussion Forums > Select Your State - And join the discussion > Indiana
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Hepatitis A Spreading
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Now tracking the new emerging South Africa Omicron Variant

Hepatitis A Spreading

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
Technophobe View Drop Down
Assistant Admin
Assistant Admin
Avatar

Joined: January 16 2014
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 88450
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Technophobe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hepatitis A Spreading
    Posted: May 01 2018 at 3:48am

Hepatitis A outbreak spreads to central Indiana

Shari Rudavsky, shari.rudavsky@indystar.com Published 4:19 p.m. ET April 30, 2018 | Updated 9:01 p.m. ET April 30, 2018

The hepatitis A outbreak that spread from Kentucky to southern Indiana has reached the Indianapolis area with a few central Indiana cases included in the 77 cases confirmed this year.

Most of Indiana’s cases of the highly contagious infection fall in the southern part of the state, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. But Hendricks County has also seen fewer than five cases related to the outbreak, according to state health officials.

In Kentucky, which first noted the outbreak in November, the caseload has reached 400 and has been linked to illicit drug use and homelessness. The Kentucky cases have been linked to similar outbreaks in California and Utah.

IU report: See what laws should change to combat opioid epidemic

2,000+ kidney transplants:IU doctor's life work

Normally Indiana sees an average of 20 cases a year. About half of those who have fallen ill this year have been hospitalized. No one has died.

A virus that causes the liver to become inflamed, hepatitis A usually resolves on its own in a few weeks, without any permanent damage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Occasionally it can lead to liver failure or death, especially in older people or those with underlying health conditions.

The virus can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, jaundice, joint pain, dark urine, and clay-colored stools, said Kandi Jamison, assistant director of public health nursing at the Hendricks County Department of Public Health.

While a hepatitis A vaccine exists – and is required for Indiana school children third grade and younger – many adults have not received the vaccine, first made available in the United States in 1995.

In light of the outbreak, health officials recommended that everyone undergo the two doses of vaccine required for full immunity. Most healthcare providers and pharmacists offer the vaccine.

“It only takes two doses and you’re protected for life,” Jamison said.

While the disease often can be transmitted by infected people handling food with their bare hands, which have been contaminated with the virus, an infected person may also contaminate any object that he or she touches.               

So Jamison also recommends people practice good hand hygiene to decrease their risk.

“Think of a gas handle, every time you go to pump gas, or a grocery cart. There are so many objects that people touch,” Jamison said.      

In addition, Jamison encouraged anyone who sees a food handler working with bare hands to speak up and make sure that the handler dons the necessary protective gloves before proceeding.


Source:   https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/04/30/hepatitis-outbreak-spreads-central-indiana/566122002/


Back to Top
Technophobe View Drop Down
Assistant Admin
Assistant Admin
Avatar

Joined: January 16 2014
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 88450
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Technophobe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 05 2018 at 5:19am

Southern Indiana officials fight hepatitis A outbreak

By  | 
Posted:

Full article at source:   http://www.wndu.com/content/news/Southern-Indiana-officials-fight-hepatitis-A-outbreak-481762071.html
How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down