Adult Vaccinations

By Dr. Bob Riggs For The Spokesman-Review According to the Spokane Regional Health District, Spokane is currently experiencing an outbreak of hepatitis A. Although this outbreak is primarily affecting people who are experiencing homelessness, it is still a good idea to be aware of how this infection is spread and its symptoms. It’s also a good time to talk about all the forms of viral hepatitis and how to prevent infection. Hepatitis A is mostly spread when undetectable amounts of the feces from an infected person contaminate objects, food or drinks and then get swallowed. It is easy to infect others living in the same household. Close personal contact, such as sex or caring for a person who is infected, can expose you to infection, too. Hepatitis B is more often spread by sex or contact with blood, and Hepatitis C is mostly spread now through contaminated needles that are used in drug abuse and home done tattoos. The symptoms of acute viral hepatitis – A, B or C – can include j...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida had 47 newly reported hepatitis A cases last week, bringing the total this year to 3,125 as of Saturday. Volusia County led the state in newly reported cases last week with five, followed by Polk County with four, according to a News Service of Florida analysis of state data. Pasco and Pinellas counties continue to lead the state in the number of infections, with 408 and 377, respectively. However, there were no new infections reported last week in Pinellas County and only one new case in Pasco. The 47 new cases were spread across 28 counties. Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver and can be deadly. It is spread through such things as food or drinks that have been contaminated with fecal matter from people with hepatitis A, or from close contact with infected people. It also can be spread through sex and intravenous drug use. State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, who doubles as secretary of the Department of Health, issued a public-health emerg...

MONDOVI, Wis. (WEAU) - The Buffalo County Health Department released a statement saying an employee at Hansen’s IGA tested positive for Hepatitis A. Hansen’s IGA Market was made aware of a part-time employee in the deli department who tested positive for Hepatitis A. Now, the Buffalo County Health Department is advising people who shopped there to talk to their health care provider if they think they were exposed. Hepatitis A is a serious, but treatable, disease. The Buffalo County Health Department and Hansen’s IGA Market released statements regarding a possible Hepatitis A exposure at the Hansen’s IGA in Mondovi. April Loeffler is a Buffalo County Health Officer. She says someone may not know they have Hepatitis A. “Hepatitis A is a serious highly contagious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus,” she said. “It is found in feces or poop of a person who is infected with Hepatitis A. Sometimes people are considered infectious when they don't even know they are sick....

Buffalo County (WQOW) – If you have shopped at Hansen’s IGA in Mondovi in the past month, you may be at risk for hepatitis A. The Buffalo County Health Department has confirmed a food service worker at the grocery store tested positive for hepatitis A. The health department is recommending anyone who purchased items from the deli at the store between October 28 and November 17 to contact a doctor to talk about their risk of exposure to Hepatitis A and options for vaccination if you are not already vaccinated. Symptoms of hepatitis A include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine, clay-colored stool, fever, chills and jaundice. You can start seeing the symptoms anywhere from 15 to 50 days after exposure and they can last for several weeks or months. The health department says most people can recover from hepatitis on their own but sometimes people need to be hospitalized. Antibiotics do not work. So, how can you prevent getting hepatitis A? The health department re...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Shoppers at Hansen's IGA in Mondovi at risk for hepatitis A    WXOW.com https://ift.tt/2pNl5EY

There have been widespread outbreaks of hepatitis A nationwide. Many people think hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water. But in the U.S., it is more commonly spread from person to person, which is what is happening in the current outbreaks. Fortunately, vaccinating people who are at risk can help stop the spread. Find out what physicians can do to prevent or control outbreaks. Since 2016, when the outbreaks were first identified, 30 states have publicly reported more than 28,000 cases of hepatitis A, linked to over 17,000 hospitalizations and 285 deaths. When looking at the current hepatitis A outbreak, the states with the highest number of cases are in the states hard hit by the opioid epidemic: Kentucky: 4,966. Ohio: 3,381. Florida: 3,446. Tennessee: 2,704. West Virginia: 2,577. Indiana: 2,219. In response to the hepatitis A outbreaks across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides ongoing epidemiology and lab suppo...

The hepatitis A outbreak in Yakima County has grown to 11 confirmed cases, the Yakima Health District said Thursday. In a news release announcing six additional cases, the health district said everyone diagnosed so far is either homeless or using illicit drugs. The health district first announced an outbreak Nov. 7 , when five cases were diagnosed in Yakima County. Since then, local health care providers have vaccinated 74 people. The health district has been reaching out to affected communities to provide information about symptoms and preventing exposure. Yakima Neighborhood Health has seen an increase in people — including the homeless — seeking vaccinations since the outbreak was announced, said spokeswoman Leah Ward. “Staff hasn’t counted the numbers but said it’s been a noticeable increase,” she said. “Also, we have sent staff out to Camp Hope to vaccinate people there.” Camp Hope is a homeless encampment behind the former Kmart where more than 100 men, women...

CLOSE Hundreds of people again stood in line for 90 minutes to receive a free Hepatitis A vaccine after Somerset County issued on health alert on Monday. Bob Makin, @ReporterBMakin SOMERVILLE – The Somerset County Department of Health spent nearly $160,000 to administer 2,000 hepatitis A vaccines in public clinics in response to a confirmed case in a food handler at the ShopRite of Somerville. The vaccines were given free to the public over three days earlier this month at the health department on Warren Street.  Initially two clinics were scheduled, but demand was so great, and a third clinic was added. The wait time to receive a vaccination was often more than an hour. The wait for free Hepatitis A shots on Thursday at the Somerset County Department of Health was more than an hour.   (Photo: Mike Deak/Staff) According to figures released by the county on Wednesday, the overall cost of the response was $159,361.94 Seacoast Medical, a nation...

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - A multi-state outbreak of Hepatitis A has been linked to eating blackberries purchased at Fresh Thyme grocery stores in three states: Nebraska, Indiana and Wisconsin. (Credit: Alicia Naspretto, KSNB) It is noted that these same berries were also distributed in IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, MN, NE, OH, PA, and WI. Central District Health Department Director Teresa Anderson said, “The blackberries would have been purchased at Fresh Thyme grocery stores between September 9th and September 30th, 2019. If you didn’t these freeze berries you probably won’t have any left. However, if you purchased and froze berries during this time period, either throw them out or return them for a refund.” The Grand Island Fresh Thyme store was scheduled to close in mid-November. 11 cases of Hepatitis A have been reported so far. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said six of those cases were in Nebraska including Douglas County, Three Rivers and Central Dist...

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A potentially linked to blackberries. The agency is working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners to investigate the outbreak. According to the CDC , there have been 11 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A in Indiana, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. At this time there have been 6 hospitalizations, but no deaths have been reported. The onset of illness dates range from October 15 to November 5, 2019. The ill individuals range in age from 14 to 73 years, with a median age of 35 years. Additionally, 73% of the ill are female. At this time, it is believed that the outbreak is linked to fresh conventional (non-organic) blackberries from the grocery store Fresh Thyme Farmers Market. As part of the outbreak investigation, health officials asked ill individuals about their exposures and consumptions prior to falling ill. In the interviews, 11 of the 1...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Hepatitis A outbreak from berries purchased at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market    NTV https://ift.tt/2D2HXmP

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The FDA, CDC, and state and local health officials are investigating a multi-state Hepatitis A outbreak that started in Nebraska. Based on information collected during the investigation, 11 of the people who became sick reported eating fresh, non-organic blackberries from Fresh Thyme grocery stores in Nebraska, Indiana and Wisconsin. According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), six of the 11 cases reported are in Nebraska, including Douglas County, Three Rivers and Central District Health Department jurisdictions. The illnesses were reported to the DHHS over the past several weeks. Four individuals were hospitalized. “Our goal is to protect Nebraskans, pinpoint the source of the illness and make sure the risk is eliminated,” said Dr. Tom Safranek, State Epidemiologist for DHHS. “We sent an advisory to health care providers alerting them of the increased number of hepatitis A cases in early November. Public health officials have ...

SPOKANE, Wash. — Two homeless adults in Spokane County have died from complications associated with a Hepatitis A infection, according to the Spokane Regional Health District. SRHD Spokesperson Kelli Hawkins said a total of 61 cases of hepatitis A cases have been reported in Spokane County. Most of those cases occurred in people living homeless and/or people who use drugs. "Unfortunately, the population most at risk of Hepatitis A exposure – those who are homeless or who use illicit drugs – are also more likely to have many other health issues," said Dr. Bob Lutz, Spokane Regional Health District’s (SRHD) health officer. “When infected with hepatitis A, the illness is the final straw that results in hospitalization and possibly death.” SRHD coordinated multiple vaccination clinics since June when the outbreak was declared. They administered more than 1,600 vaccines. The health district also conducted education programs and outreach to healthcare providers, community cente...

Once a case of Hepatitis A has been reported to the health department by a doctor, a county health department epidemiologist interviews the patient, creates a timeline of their last 50 days, including where they traveled, worked, and their food history, then identifies anyone who was in close contact to recommend the Hepatitis A vaccine to help prevent the possible spread of the illness. https://ift.tt/2Orvbng

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Philadelphia Department of Health is warning of a potential Hepatitis A exposure after a Center City restaurant worker was found to have acute Hepatitis A. Health officials say the person worked at Ristorante La Buca at 711 Locust Street. Anyone who dined at the restaurant between Monday, Oct. 28 and Friday, Nov. 15 should receive a Hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible, officials warn. Officials say while the risk of contracting the infection is very low, vaccination is recommended. Anyone who has previously had two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine or has had the infection in the past does not need to be vaccinated, officials say. Health officials say the best way to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A is to thoroughly wash your hands after using the bathroom before preparing or eating food. Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver. People infected usually show symptoms two to six weeks after contracting the virus. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- If you recently ate at Trip's Diner in St. Petersburg, you should know that one of its employees recently tested positive for Hepatitis A. According to the Pinellas County Health Department, a worker employed at Trip's Diner located at 2339 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North in St. Petersburg had a confirmed case of Hepatitis A on Thursday, October 17. When inspectors went to the restaurant to follow up, the state found 28 violations, some very concerning regarding food safety. The state saw an employee handle soiled dishes and then handled clean dishes without washing his hands; Another employee touch soiled surfaces and then engaged in food preparation without washing his hands; And another worker touched the trash can and then went onto handle bread. According to the inspection report, the state discovered cold food held at greater than 41°F with liquid eggs at 70 to 80°F and ham at 52°F. Hot food was also not 135°F or above with hollanda...

The free hepatitis A vaccination clinic in Somerville closed early for the second day in a row Thursday due to an overwhelming public response. More than 500 people were vaccinated on Wednesday, but the clinic also had to close early due to the demand. Some people said they stood in line for two hours. The scare comes after state health officials confirmed that a deli worker at the ShopRite located at 1 South Davenport St. in Somerville had the illness and handled some of the food. Anyone who ate items from the deli section of the store or who used the restroom from Oct. 13 to Oct. 30 is at risk of being exposed. RELATED: Somerset County officials administer 550 hepatitis A vaccinations amid ShopRite scare The Somerset County Health Department says its response to the scare is unprecedented. The only thing that comes close is 10 years ago, when it offered vaccinations during a flu epidemic. Vaccinations will be offered again Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. while supplies last. ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Florida's hepatitis A outbreak prompts vaccine push    WEAR https://ift.tt/2O1xnBp

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — The state of Florida remains under a hepatitis A outbreak, with the number of cases exceeding 3,100 statewide. The health department continues to urge people to get vaccinated, and for many people, get their second round of shots. The booster shot for the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended to be given six months after the first shot. The first shot gives you 10 years of immunity, according to health officials. The booster shot gives you lifetime immunity. Martin County resident Cindy Collins hopes people take the time to get the second shot. “I just want the public to be aware it’s still out there,” Collins said. It has been more than six months since Martin County became a high-risk county and began efforts to provide more access to the first shot. “I never thought it was going to happen to us, ever,” Collins said. Her husband, Lee Collins, contracted the Hepatitis A virus early this year. It took his life. The virus also claimed the lives of four ot...

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — The Tampa Bay area has led the state this year with 466 new hepatitis A cases in Pasco County, 369 in Pinellas County and 145 in Hillsborough. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Pinellas health officials were the first in Florida to deploy “foot teams” into areas where people at risk for hepatitis A tend to gather. They’ve administered 789 vaccines since May. Now, other counties are undertaking similar efforts. Since January 2018, Florida has recorded 3,395 cases of hepatitis A. The virus affects the liver and spreads through contaminated feces. It causes symptoms like fever, dark urine, yellow-tinged skin or eyes, fatigue and gastric issues. People pass it along by eating or drinking tainted food or water, or through sex. Since 2016, outbreaks have hit 29 states, beginning in California and Michigan, Kaiser Health News reports. More than 25,000 cases have been reported nationally in the last year. In the Tampa Bay area, reports of food service workers infec...