SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Santa Cruz County health officials are offering vaccination clinics following a an outbreak of new Hepatitis A virus reported countywide. Other counties across the state, including San Diego County, are also experiencing an increase of Hepatitis A cases.

"We are partnering with the community to ensure the people most at risk, particularly the homeless, have access to the hepatitis A vaccine," said Arnold S. Leff, MD, Santa Cruz County Public Health Officer. "We've increased our outreach to vulnerable populations and have worked to make information available. We are strongly encouraging people who are at risk to check with their health care providers and get vaccinated for hepatitis A."

Hepatitis A can be spread through contaminated food, water or by having sexual contact or sharing drugs with someone who is infected.

"Those most at risk include travelers to areas with high or intermediate rates of endemic Hepatitis A; men who have sex with men; users of injection and non-injection illegal drugs; persons with clotting factor disorders; and household members or caregivers of persons infected with Hepatitis A," health officials said in a statement.

The illness is potentially fatal.

Health officials said Hepatitis A symptoms usually appear over a number of days and include jaundice, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and light-colored stools.

Health officials offer the following prevention tips to avoid contracting the illness:



Get the hepatitis A vaccination

Frequent handwashing, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and before handling food

Do not have sex with someone who has a Hepatitis A infection

Use your own towels, toothbrushes and eating utensils; and don't share food, drinks or smokes with other people.

The vaccine is available at county clinics for those without health insurance. Click here for a list of locations.



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