Posted: Thu 6:48 PM, Aug 01, 2019
WEST PLAINS, Mo. — Cases of Hepatitus A are on the rise, both nationwide and here in the Ozarks. The CDC says cases are soaring across the country and that includes Howell County where health officials say dozens of new cases have been confirmed this year alone.
In 2019, there have been 45 confirmed cases of Hepatitis A in Howell County. That’s the third highest of any county in the state. In Missouri, since September of 2017, 387 cases have been reported.
“It’s absolutely alarming. We know there is a correlation in certain groups with increased risk for Hepatitis A. Namely people who use injection or non-injection recreational drugs,” Dr. Christopher Cochran of Ozarks Medical Center told KY3.
Dr. Cochran, who practices Internal Medicine at Ozarks Medical Center, says the hospital has seen an increase in Hepatitis A cases.
Health departments across the state say illicit drug use is the predominant factor in the outbreak.
Hepatitis A is most commonly spread when a person ingests the virus through objects, food or drink contaminated by small, undetectable amounts of fecal matter from an infected person.
“This is a virus that targets the liver, Dr. Cochran explained. It is the most infectious, the most contagious hepatitis virus because it’s transmitted, unlike the other hepatitis viruses that we all hear about, it’s transmitted through body fluids.”
The most at risk groups include people who have had direct contact with someone who has Hepatitis A, drug users; both injection and non-injection drugs, people who work with non-human primates, caregivers,
the homeless population and people who have been in or work in a jail.
Two months ago, John Ferrar, who is staying at the local homeless shelter, started feeling flu-like symptoms.
“I was feeling sick. I just thought it might have been a flu bug. Several days later, I started turning a shade of orange that nobody had seen before,” Ferrar added.
His gallbladder was leaking bile and he was diagnosed with Hepatitis A, B and C.
“I was told I was 48 hours from dying if I hadn’t had went to the hospital.”
The Howell County Health Department visited the shelter and provided free vaccinations for everyone and talked to residents about the importance washing hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food.
“After you’re infected with Hepatitis A, you are essentially vaccinated for hepatitis A and you don’t have the risk of getting it again. But once is plenty, because it’s a pretty horrible disease to endure, at least temporarily,” Dr. Cochran noted.
Vaccinations are available at local health departments or you can check with your primary care doctor.
The vaccine consists of two doses, given six months apart.
Children as young as a year old are recommended for the vaccine.
If you believe you may have Hepatitis A or been in close contact with someone who does, contact you local health department.
