Hepatitis A Outbreak in WV - Know the facts

Since March 2018, the WV Bureau for Public Health, has seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases of acute hepatitis A virus. This increase in cases has primarily been among IV and non-IV drug users, homeless or transient individuals, those who have been recently incarcerated, and are co-infected with hepatitis C.  Several cases have been linked with outbreaks in Kentucky and California.

 

WV Counties with confirmed cases of Hepatitis A include Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam, Wayne and Wyoming counties — the majority in Kanawha (62 cases) and Putnam (22 cases), the Register-Herald reported.

 

Hepatitis A is spread when a person ingests fecal matter, including microscopic amounts. It can be transmitted when an infected person does not wash his or her hands properly after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper and then touches objects or food, or when someone engages in sexual activities with an infected person.

 

Learn what you need to know and how to stay safe, by going to Frequently Asked Questions.

For additional information, go to WV DHHR site.