FOLLOW US

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.

Under the proclamation, the governor ordered the CPDH to take all measures to obtain Hepatitis A vaccines. The agency will prioritize vaccinating at-risk individuals in affected areas.

Additionally, the governor authorized Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic licensees to administer appropriate vaccines to at-risk-populations

Dr. Karen Smith, director of CPDF recently said, "Vaccinating people at risk of exposure is the most effective tool we have to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A infection during an outbreak.”

However, it is challenging for public authorities to provide vaccinations homeless people/ drug addicts because of several reasons. Most of them distrust public health authorities, and are not concerned about the disease. It is also difficult to contact and identify the drug users or homeless who are infected with Hepatitis A.