Local health officials respond to increase in Hepatitis A cases - Springfield News Sun

Health officials are working to combat the local spread of a statewide Hepatitis A outbreak.

There are eight confirmed cases of the disease in Clark County and one case in Champaign County.

Health Commissioner Charles Patterson with the Clark County Combined Health District said the uptick in cases is alarming. This particular strain of Hep A is especially dangerous.

“Our previous confirmed case was clear back in 2011,” he said. “Maybe we’d see a 30 percent hospitalization rate. Now we’re seeing a 60 to 70 percent hospitalization rate.”

Since the summer, the health district has been working with groups who are considered ‘at risk’ to limit the spread.

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The health district hosted Hep A vaccine clinics at the Springfield Soup Kitchen, and it’s also been working with officials at the Clark County Jail.

Those in jail are considered more likely to develop the disease, as well as the homeless or illicit drug users.

“We’ve been visiting the incarcerated population at the jail, reaching out and being able to talk with our deputies who work in the jail, making sure they’re protected,” Patterson said.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that’s spread by ingesting even a small amount of feces. The disease can be transmitted by being in close contact with someone who has the disease or eating food that’s been handled by someone who didn’t wash their hands well enough.

The infection prevention team at Mercy Health Springfield said the staff has a set of standard precautions they follow to keep them safe from potential exposure to the disease.

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Some of those practices include protective sharps and needle-less devices, requiring staff and requesting patients to perform hand hygiene prior to eating and after using the restroom and disinfecting all patient equipment prior to use for another patient as well as environmental cleaning of all hospital areas.

A good way to prevent Hep A is by practicing good hand washing habits — but the best way is by getting vaccinated.

The health district said even if you don’t fall into what qualifies as an at-risk group, you may want to think twice before saying no to the vaccine.

The vaccine is recommended for all children when they turn one year old.

“Anyone who eats out at a restaurant or has contact with the public should consider doing this,” Patterson said. “It’s very easy to do. Most health insurance will cover that vaccine as a preventive.”

Patterson said if anyone is interested in getting the vaccine, they should contact their primary care physician or the health district to see what options are available.

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