December 17, 2010 Cabell County reports five hepatitis A cases Advertiser

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — five people have contracted hepatitis A in eastern Cabell County, health officials said Friday.

The Cabell-Huntington Health Department is investigating the possible source of the outbreak and is trying to identify others who came in contact with the five, which includes both adults and children, spokeswoman Elizabeth Ayers said.

Ayers said officials are working with the county school system because some of the children involved are students.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus found in the stool of an infected person.

The disease is spread by a lack of hand-washing after bathroom use, by touching items such as soiled diapers or linens, by sharing items such as eating utensils, cups, cigarettes and lip balm, or by eating food that may have become contaminated during handling.

Symptoms can include stomach pain, nausea, fatigue, fever, jaundice, dark urine and diarrhea.

There is a vaccine to prevent the disease but once contracted there is no treatment. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acute liver failure from Hepatitis A is rare.

Ayers said the Health Department plans to have the vaccine available on Monday.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — five people have contracted hepatitis A in eastern Cabell County, health officials said Friday.

The Cabell-Huntington Health Department is investigating the possible source of the outbreak and is trying to identify others who came in contact with the five, which includes both adults and children, spokeswoman Elizabeth Ayers said.

Ayers said officials are working with the county school system because some of the children involved are students.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus found in the stool of an infected person.

The disease is spread by a lack of hand-washing after bathroom use, by touching items such as soiled diapers or linens, by sharing items such as eating utensils, cups, cigarettes and lip balm, or by eating food that may have become contaminated during handling.

Symptoms can include stomach pain, nausea, fatigue, fever, jaundice, dark urine and diarrhea.

There is a vaccine to prevent the disease but once contracted there is no treatment. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acute liver failure from Hepatitis A is rare.

Ayers said the Health Department plans to have the vaccine available on Monday.