Hepatitis A outbreak in Nashville
Officials have confirmed that there is a hepatitis A outbreak in Nashville in the US.
Since 1 December 2017, there have been 14 confirmed cases of the disease, and the Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) is working with the Tennessee Department of Health to control the outbreak.
MPHD is offering free hepatitis A vaccination at health centres for those most at risk of the disease: the homeless, men who have sex with men, and illicit drug users.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice. Although the disease can be severe and require hospitalisation, most people recover within a few weeks.
The disease typically spreads when the virus is ingested via objects, food or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person, or from close personal contact with an infected person. The best method of prevention is vaccination.
Vaccination is recommended for those planning to travel to Nashville and other states that are experiencing outbreaks of the disease, including Kentucky and Michigan. “Getting vaccinated and thoroughly washing your hands before and after preparing food and eating and after using the restroom are simple, safe and effective ways to prevent the spread of hepatitis A,” said Deputy State Health Commissioner and State Epidemiologist Pam Pontones.