Health Law

Hepatitis A clusters in western West Virginia and eastern Kentucky

By Drew Falkenstein

The Cabell-Huntington Health Department is currently investigating a cluster of hepatitis A cases. To date, there are (4) confirmed cases in Cabell County and health officials are doing a thorough investigation on these cases, which the health department are calling sporadic at this point.

The Cabell County cluster (Cabell County borders eastern Kentucky) of illnesses is occurring very near to another cluster of hepatitis A illnesses in Ashland-Boyd County Kentucky, where today a sixth case of hepatitis A infection was reported.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus which is found in the stool of an infected person. People with hepatitis A can be very sick and usually need to see a doctor in order to get better. There is, however, no treatment for hepatitis A. Immune globulin can be taken within two weeks after exposure to prevent or lessen symptoms, but timeliness of vaccination is critical and is often not done in time.

Hepatitis A is spread from person to person by hands that have not been washed after going to the bathroom or by touching items such as diapers or linens soiled by bowel movement. It can also be spread by water or ice and by eating uncooked foods that may have become contaminated during handling. Hepatitis A can also be spread through common household items such as unclean eating utensils and cups and other items used to take drugs with.  We have been involved in representing families who have suffered from this virus.

• Carl's Jr. Hepatitis A Outbreak - Washington
• Chi-Chi's Hepatitis A Outbreak - Pennsylvania
• Chipotle Grill Hepatitis A - San Diego, California
• D'Angelo's Deli Hepatitis A Outbreak - Massachusetts
• Friendly's Hepatitis A Exposure - Massachusetts
• Houlihan's Hepatitis A Exposure - Illinois
• Maple Lawn Dairy Hepatitis A Outbreak - New York
• McDonald's Hepatitis A Outbreak - Washington
• McDonald's Hepatitis A Outbreak - Quad-Cities, Illinois
• Quizno's Hepatitis A Exposure - Massachusetts
• Soleil Produce Hepatitis A Outbreak - California
• Subway Hepatitis A Outbreak - Washington
• Taco Bell Hepatitis A Outbreak - Florida

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on December 05, 2010 (boomark / email).