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We answer all your questions about hepatitis A, a highly contagious liver infection.
Nikki Boliaux, Louisville Courier Journal

MARTIN COUNTY – The 15 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in Martin County this year exceed the combined total for a seven-year period starting in 2011, according to statistics from the Florida Department of Health.

While statistics were not available for 2018, the 13 cases disclosed Friday and the other two Monday, for a total of 15, represent a significant increase in numbers.

More: Hepatitis A: 10 Things To Know About Infection Of The Liver That Killed A Couple From Martin County

More: Martin County's High Risk & # 39; hepatitis A; 2 people are dead, 13 confirmed cases

It's also more than double the annual number of cases in any Treasure Coast County since at least 2008.

Florida County Department of Health spokeswoman Renay Rouse declined to answer questions on Monday.

More: Hepatitis A death: "It makes no sense to us," says Stuart's lawyer's brother, Jeffrey Kirsch

Jeffrey and Nancy Kirsch (Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO OF NED KIRSCH)

The local public interest in hepatitis A has increased since lawyer Jeffrey Kirsch and his wife Nancy, both 62, were found dead on March 28 in their home in Palm City.

The medical examiner's office said last week that the couple's cause of death was "complications of hepatitis (hepatitis A)." The mode of death was indicated as natural.

More: Friends remember Jeffrey Kirsch, Stuart's lawyer found dead with his wife in Palm City

The Ministry of Health said last week that the agency considered a community as "high risk" when there are five confirmed cases. Martin County achieved "high risk" status on April 1 st.

In Martin County, the largest number of cases in recent years, excluding 2018, was five in 2014.

Hepatitis A, rate per 100,000 population
2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
County count count count count count count count count count count
Florida 276 122 122 107 133 118 110 178 191 165
Indian River 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 2 0 1
Martin 1 2 2 5 0 2 1 3 3 4
St. LUCIA 1 0 3 1 0 4 1 0 3 6

The largest number of cases in a year on the Treasure Coast was recorded in St. Lucia County, where six cases were reported in 2008.

What you need to know about hepatitis A. (Photo: HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA OF THE COUNTY OF MARTIN)

More: Stuart's lawyer and his wife found dead at Palm City's home; unknown cause

More: How should Florida respond to the risk of hepatitis A? This is what happened in Kentucky

Hepatitis A is a "highly contagious liver infection" caused by the hepatitis A virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This rarely causes death. Most people who contract Hep A feel sick for weeks, but usually recover without permanent liver damage.

Jeffrey Kirsch's brother, Ned Kirsch, said Friday that the family was struggling to determine how two healthy people had caught the virus.

"It's very strange for us," said 53-year-old Ned Kirsch on Friday. "It does not make sense to us."

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Sara Marino, journalist at TCPalm, contributed to this report

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Read or share this story: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/martin-county/2019/04/08/hepatitis-martin-county-year-equals-past-7-years-combined/ 3399470002 /