Hep A Doubles in the Rockies

Health officials in Colorado’s ‘Front Range’ have reported more cases of Hepatitis A during 2017, then all of 2016.

Through July 21, 2017, there have been 49 cases this year. Which is far greater than 2016 when only 23 cases were diagnosed.

Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease.

About half the people who got sick were hospitalized. There have been no deaths from this hepatitis A outbreak reported.

Nine counties in Colorado have reported cases of hepatitis A. All cases have involved adults. Among those, 73 percent are men, and more than 50 percent of these men had sexual contact with other men.

“We’re working closely with local public health agencies and community partners to reach people who need a hepatitis A vaccination,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy. “People at higher risk should get the hepatitis A vaccine, which is extremely safe and highly effective.”

“People with hepatitis A can be contagious for two weeks before they have symptoms. They can spread the virus without knowing it,” Dr. Herlihy said. “It’s easy to protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated.”

Additionally, the European Centers for Disease and Control (ECDC) reported large increases in hepatitis A cases during the first half of 2017. And, that these hepatitis A (HAV) outbreaks across Europe most likely have not reached their peak.

As an example, in Spain, hepatitis A cases reported in 2017 are almost eight times higher than the average number of annual cases reported.

It is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is spread from person to person through contact with the feces (stool) of people who are infected, which can easily happen if someone does not wash his or her hands properly.  

You can also get hepatitis A from food, water, or objects contaminated with HAV.

Symptoms of hepatitis A can include:

• fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and/or joint pain
• severe stomach pains and diarrhea (mainly in children), or
• jaundice (yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements).

These symptoms usually appear 2 to 6 weeks after exposure and usually last less than 2 months, although some people can be ill for as long as 6 months.

Hepatitis A vaccines were recommended in the United States beginning in 1996. Since then, the number of cases reported each year in the U.S. has dropped from around 31,000 cases to fewer than 1,500 cases.

Hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated (killed) vaccine, and available from various manufacturers, at most pharmacies.. You will need 2 doses for long-lasting protection. These doses should be given at least 6 months apart.

Additionally, the Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for healthy international travelers age 12 months or older.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides the private sector vaccine prices for general information.