An outbreak of Hepatitis A that is linked to a national outbreak has been reported in the state of Utah. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection of the Hep A virus. The Utah Department of Health reports that between May 1st and November 27th, 87 outbreak-associated cases of Hepatitis A have been identified. While previous outbreaks had hospitalization rates of under 40%, the rate of hospitalizations in Utah this time is at approximately 60%. The majority of the Utah cases have occurred along the Wasatch Front and are connected to illicit drug use and/or those experiencing homelessness. While the outbreak so far seems limited to a specific population, the Salt Lake County Health Department Director Gary Edwards says there is no guarantee it won’t spread beyond that. “The key to keeping this outbreak from spreading to the general public is making sure that everyone practices proper hygiene and handwashing,” shares Edwards. With that in mind, a new campaign is being launched across the state to educate the public and limit the spread of the disease.
