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While hepatitis cases reach more than 2,000 cases nationwide, Dr. Scott Rivkees, a state general surgeon, has announced the launch of A public health emergency for the state.
The Florida Department of Health said this statement was based on the public health advisory issued in November 2018.
"Not only are we seeing new cases, but we are seeing cases appear in areas where we were not expecting," said state representative Toby Overdorf.
This designation of Public Health Emergency opens up more resources to fight the spread of the virus.
"To really ensure that people and the public are aware that it is a serious problem," Overdorf explained.
This includes ongoing efforts to educate and prevent high-risk, high-risk populations.
"I'm really very happy that we finally took this step to say that we have an emergency, we will take care of it, we dedicate the resources," said Overdorf.
The Florida Department of Health will also continue to work with the CDC as part of this public health emergency.
Overdorf said he met Dr. Rivkees last week. "He basically let me know that the CDC had reviewed all the cases, he personally reviewed all the cases badociated with our area and all deaths, too," said Overdorf.
DODF stated that the statement indicated to health care providers the importance of screening and vaccination for all those considered at high risk, but also recommended vaccination of those at increased risk of serious complications after contracted hepatitis A.
The state said that there were currently 17 counties severely affected by the virus: Brevard, Citrus, Glades, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Liberty, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas , Sumpter, Taylor and Volusia.
The number of hepatitis A for 2019 already exceeds that of 2018.
State health officials are also using this public health emergency to remind people to use good hand-washing practices and stress the importance of consistent sanitation procedures in public and private facilities. equipped with toilets and showers.
Overdorf hopes that this public health emergency will quickly slow the spread of the virus.
"We will get to where we will not see new cases at any given time."
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