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Above, doses of the vaccine against hepatitis A at Columbus Public Health in Columbus, Ohio.
BY BIANCA PADRO OCASIO
MIAMI HERALD / TNS
MIAMI – With 56 new state-wide cases of hepatitis A reported in the week since the last report, the Florida Surgeon General said Thursday a public health emergency, allowing health officials to test and to treat people suspected of being carriers of the virus.
"I declare this public health emergency as a proactive step to appropriately alert the public of this critical illness and prevent the spread of hepatitis A in our state," said Dr. Scott Rivkees, Surgeon General's Physician. from Florida.
"Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A. It is important to vaccinate as many high-risk individuals as possible in order to obtain a collective immunity. "
The number of reported cases of hepatitis A in Florida in 2019 increased to 2,034 as of July 27, compared to 1,978 cases reported on July 20, the Florida Department of Health reported.
The most affected counties are Brevard, Citrus, Glades, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Liberty, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Sumter, Taylor and Volusia. Most of this area is in central and western Florida
CASE EXPLOSION
According to the Department of Health, the number of cases of hepatitis A in Florida has exploded in 2019, with 2,034 cases registered this year, four times more than the 548 reported in 2018. And there are still five months to count in 2019.
In 2014, just five years ago, there were only 106 cases in the state, according to figures from the health department.
Symptoms may include yellowing of the skin, fever, diarrhea, fatigue and loss of appetite.
THE MOST AT RISK
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the groups most at risk are:
- People over 60
- People with chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- People with compromised immune systems, including people living with HIV or AIDS
- People with unstable or homeless housing
- addicts
- The inmates
NATIONAL OUTBREAK
The Florida epidemic coincides with a national upsurge in cases.
Since the hepatitis A outbreak was first identified in 2016, 22,566 cases have been reported in 25 states as of July 26, according to CDC reports. Of this number, 13,352 cases, or 59%, resulted in hospitalization and 221 people died.
According to the CDC, the five states with the largest number of cases are:
- Kentucky: 4,793 (as of July 13)
- Ohio: 3,220 (as of July 22)
- West Virginia: 2,528 (As of July 3)
- Florida: 2,220 (as at June 30)
- Tennessee: 2.022 (as of July 19)
PREVENTION
"All individuals should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds," said the Florida Health Department advisory board.
Hand sanitizers do not kill the virus, said the Ministry of Health, and private showers and toilets must also be systematically sanitized.
In addition to hand washing, health officials urge people to get vaccinated.
A dose of single antigen hepatitis A vaccine provides up to 95% protection in healthy individuals up to age 11, says the CDC.
WHO SHOULD BE VACCINATED
The CDC recommends that the following groups be vaccinated:
- All children at the age of 1 year
- Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common
- Family and carers of adoptees from countries where hepatitis A is common
- Men having bad with other men
- People who inject drugs and not injectables
- People with chronic liver disease
- People with coagulation factor disorders
- Homeless people
- People working with primates infected with HAV or HAV in a research laboratory
- People in direct contact with other people with hepatitis A
- Anyone wishing to obtain immunity (protection)
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