Department of Health Helps Treat Hepatitis A at Delaware County Jail – Health News

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) – The health department of a central Indiana county is helping to cope with an outbreak of hepatitis A that has reached the county jail.

According to the Star Press, Delaware County Sheriff Tony Skinner, the outbreak was detected this month. As of the last count, Indiana had more than 980 confirmed cases of hepatitis A, including seven in Delaware County. Skinner says some of them have been detected at the county jail.

The Delaware County Department of Health provided vaccines to inmates and prison staff. Jammie Bane, administrator of the County Health Department, said that "quick action and team work … have been key to providing an effective response in order to quickly stop the spread of this epidemic in our prison ".

The disease attacks the liver and causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, fever and jaundice.

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Information provided by: The Star Press, http://www.thestarpress.com