The Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being is investigating an outbreak of the extremely contagious liver illness hepatitis A amongst its homeless inhabitants.
Well being officers stated 5 instances of hepatitis A have been reported since mid-March amongst individuals experiencing homelessness. The virus, which might unfold amongst individuals even earlier than they’ve signs, could be discovered within the stool and blood of those that have been contaminated. Signs embrace fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhea, darkish urine and yellow eyes and pores and skin.
“People which might be unhoused are at larger danger for contracting hepatitis A an infection as a result of they usually have restricted entry to hand-washing and toileting services,” the division wrote in a press release.
The well being division stated it was providing free hepatitis A vaccines to individuals experiencing homelessness in encampments and interim housing websites the place there’s a danger of potential publicity. The vaccine could be given to individuals even after they’ve been uncovered to guard in opposition to creating the an infection.
The division stated it was working carefully with healthcare and homeless providers suppliers to extend consciousness in regards to the virus and rising dangers. It urged residents to get vaccinated and to clean their fingers after utilizing the toilet.
California’s final identified hepatitis A outbreak occurred between 2016 and 2018, largely amongst individuals experiencing homelessness or individuals utilizing medication in settings with restricted sanitation.
When the outbreak was contained in 2018, the state reported 708 instances. Greater than 60% of these contaminated required hospitalization, and a minimum of 21 individuals died, in keeping with the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Final yr, an analogous outbreak occurred among the many homeless inhabitants in Portland, Maine. Well being officers there recorded a minimum of 18 confirmed instances of hepatitis A within the metropolis’s homeless inhabitants.
Thus far, three states have ongoing hepatitis A outbreaks.
