Hepatitis A in the United States

  Few Americans are aware of a major epidemic that has taken hold of large areas of their country in recent years – by a disease that is easily diagnosed and prevented. Sadly, public – and even professional interest in these events have been overshadowed by COVID-19.    AN UPTICK IN CASES Hepatitis A had been largely under control until three years ago and can be easily prevented through the use of a safe and effective vaccine.  From January 2017 to January 2019, at least 26 separate outbreaks were reported, to a total of 11,628 cases and 99 deaths, nationwide. Homeless individuals and users of illicit drugs accounted for a large percentage of these patients.  The graph below shows that the number of reported cases, which had been declining steadily since 1997, has taken a dramatic upturn during the current epidemic.    Hepatitis A cases in the United States, 1947 – today   As of September 2020, more than 1,000 cases have now been reported in each of seven states: Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Indeed, the total number of cases reported since the arrival of COVID-19 in the United States has reached 6,650 (to October 10, 2020)  – a major concern to public health specialists.   WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? Hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease that affects the liver. Infection may cause symptoms such as vomiting, jaundice, anorexia, dark urine, and light stools, occasionally accompanied by r...
Source: GIDEON blog - Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Tags: Epidemiology News Outbreaks Source Type: blogs