Over 2,000 hep A cases in West Virginia outbreak

West Virginia is experiencing a hepatitis A outbreak with confirmation of 2,000 cases, according to The Exponent Telegram.

"This outbreak is unprecedented not only in West Virginia, but nationwide for the sheer number of cases we are seeing," said Shannon McBee, senior epidemiologist at West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

About 14 states have also been affected by the hepatitis A outbreak. West Virginia health officials have administered vaccines to help curb the infection rate.

"The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health is working with local health department partners to investigate cases and close contacts of hepatitis A and partnering with stakeholders to get the vaccine into the hands of those who serve the at-risk population, such as hospitals, comprehensive treatment centers, medication assisted therapy sites, and federally qualified health centers," Ms. McBee told The Exponent Telegram.

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