Hepatitis A outbreak ends in Monterey County

Health officials have declared an end to the Hepatitis A outbreak among homeless people in Monterey County.

Hepatitis A is a liver infection usually transmitted by the fecal-oral route, either through person to person contact or consumption of contaminated food or water.

San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, and Monterey County Health Departments investigated local Hepatitis A outbreaks among homeless people or those using drugs during 2017 and 2018. During the outbreak, there were 12 cases reported in Monterey County.

“Because there have been no new outbreak-related cases of HAV in Monterey County for at least two incubation periods, Monterey County Health Officials have declared an end to the local outbreak,” said the Monterey County Health Department.

However, health officials urge people to remain vigilant. Due to ongoing hepatitis A virus outbreaks in other parts of the United States, cases of HAV may continue to occur at a higher rate than usual, said Monterey County health officials.

“There are certain states like Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Utah and others that are experiencing an outbreak of Hepatitis among the general population. In those states, it’s not limited to the homeless population,” Dr. Edward Moreno said.

For more information on Hepatitis A click HERE.