Florida declares Public Health Emergency over Hepatitis A

Jacksonville, FL — With more than 2,000 cases of Hepatitis A reported in Florida this year, Florida’s Surgeon General has declared a “Public Health Emergency”.

The 2,034 cases so far this year far surpass the 548 reported all of last year, which in turn was higher than the 276 cases in 2017. Northeast Florida has seen a relatively low number of reported cases so far compared to other regions in the state, but health officials are urging precautions like vaccinations and good hand-washing practices to prevent any spread.

There have been 17 cases in the five-county area through this year, as of last Saturday, which is the most recent timeframe available. Health data shows Duval and St. Johns counties reported six cases each, Clay has seen three, Nassau has had two, and Baker has not had any. The Florida Department of Health says Duval County was among the states that reported at least one case in the most recent available week of data.

Following the Public Health Emergency declaration, the Florida Department of Health is now requesting the assistance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are also urging healthcare providers to actively screen for and vaccinate patients who are at a high risk of contracting the disease. That high risk population generally includes first responders, people who are homeless or work with the homeless outside of a healthcare setting, intravenous or illicit drug users, men who have sex with men, people in an acute care setting who have received an opioid antagonist, people with underlying liver disease, people with clotting factor disorders, or anyone over the age of 60 who has a serious underlying medical condition and lives in critically impacted counties.

Hepatitis A is a contagious virus that infects the liver, according to the FDOH. It is spread through the feces of people who have the virus, which most often happens when someone who is infected doesn’t wash their hands properly after using the restroom, and then contaminates things through touch. Because of this, the FDOH is urging everyone to practice proper hand washing, which means using soap and warm, running water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill Hepatitis A.

The prevent yourself from contracting the disease outright, the FDOH says the best thing to do is get vaccinated.

You can have Hepatitis A for up to two weeks without feeling sick, but during which time you can still spread the virus. Once symptoms start to manifest, they include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, diarrhea, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and jaundice. The FDOH says most people get better over time, but some require hospitalization.

The FDOH has launched a webpage dedicated to learning more about Hepatitis A and seeing the steps the state is taking to combat further spread.