Case of Hepatitis A Confirmed in Muskingum County
The Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department has reported a case of Hepatitis A in an individual from Muskingum County who is home recovering.
The Health Department learned of the confirmed case on November 9th and started a disease investigation. The Ohio Department of Health declared a statewide community outbreak of Hepatitis A in June of 2018 after observing an increase in cases linked to certain risk factors since the beginning of 2018.
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver disease that usually spreads when a person ingests fecal matter – even in microscopic amounts – from contact with objects, food or drinks contaminated by the stool of an infected person. Hepatitis A can also be spread from close personal contact with an infected person, such as through sex.
People at increase risk for Hepatitis A in the outbreak include:
People with direct contact with individuals infected with the virus •
Men who have sex with men
• People who use street drugs whether they are injected or not
• People who are incarcerated
• People experiencing homelessness
• People who have traveled to other areas of the U.S. currently experiencing outbreaks
Symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, clay-colored stools and jaundice. People with hepatitis A can experience mild illness lasting a few weeks to severe illness lasting several months.
• The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination with the hepatitis A vaccine. To get the full benefit of the hepatitis A vaccine, more than one shot is needed. The number and timing of these shots depends on the type of vaccine you are given.
• Practicing good hand hygiene – including thoroughly washing hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food – plays an important role in preventing the spread of hepatitis A.
To get vaccinated against Hepatitis A, contact your physician or the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department.
