California is experiencing the largest person-to-person Hepatitis A outbreak in the United States since 1996.
According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), there are 649 cases of Hepatitis A in the state. Majority of those infected by the liver disease are homeless or illegal drug users in areas where sanitation is a problem.
The CPDH explained that Hepatitis A is spreading through person-to-person or contact with a fecally contaminated environment. San Diego has the highest number of Hepatitis A cases. Twenty people already died in the city because of the disease as of the November 10.
Below is the Hepatitis A outbreak status in California
Base on the laboratory and epidemiologic evidence, related strains of Hepatitis A virus genotype (IB) is the cause of the outbreak. Such virus genotype is not common in the United States. It is normally found on the Mediterranean region, South Africa, and Turkey, according to CDPH.
Providing vaccination to the homeless in challenging
Last month, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency to help prevent further outbreak of Hepatitis A.
