The new count marks a 68-case increase since June 12, when officials confirmed the fourth death related to the outbreak. A majority of the cases — about 70 percent — have occurred among the county’s homeless population and people who use illicit drugs. So far, 161 people have been hospitalized as a result of the outbreak.
“It is imperative that anyone at risk for hepatitis A get vaccinated,” said Wilma Wooten, MD, the public health officer and director of public health services for the county. “We cannot stress this enough — get vaccinated and make sure you wash your hands after going to the bathroom. Lives are at risk. Protect yourself, your family and the community.”
Hepatitis A is highly transmissible illness most often spread via contact with fecal matter from an infected individual. Symptoms of hepatitis A infection include abdominal pain, a low-grade fever, nausea, fatigue and jaundice.
To learn more about hepatitis A, click here.
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Surge in whooping cough outbreaks linked to vaccine exemptions
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Infection rates take center stage in SEIU, Stanford fight
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