Maricopa County Announces First Death of Its Hepatitis A Epidemic Throughout the State

PHOENIX – Maricopa County has registered its first death related to the hepatitis A epidemic throughout the state, authorities said Tuesday.

Death was the third in Arizona since the beginning of the epidemic in November.

"This person was included in the most at-risk populations of Hepatitis A during our outbreak in Maricopa County," said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, County Medical Director for Disease Control. KTAR News 92.3 FM.

"Those most at risk are those who use drugs or other substances, people who live in unstable housing or who are homeless, and those who are or have recently been in prison.

All members of these groups should receive the vaccine against hepatitis A, 95% effective after one dose, said Sunenshine. Vaccines are available at Maricopa County's three vaccination clinics as well as in multiple partner facilities.

"Maricopa County works closely with all of its community and government partners to make the hepatitis A vaccine available to those most at risk, and we want to make sure that everyone in the country is safe. risk knows the importance of being vaccinated against hepatitis A, "she said. .

On Tuesday, there had been 424 cases in the state and 216 in Maricopa County since the beginning of the outbreak, according to the Arizona Health Services Department website.

"This is an important epidemic, but it is the first individual who died from this epidemic in Maricopa County," said Sunenshine.

Although rarely fatal, hepatitis A is a serious disease that can affect the liver. During the current outbreak, 80% of patients have been hospitalized.

Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fatigue, fever, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale or whitish stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

"Hepatitis A is spread by not washing your hands after using the bathroom and then catching germs in your mouth," said Sunenshine.

"The best way to avoid this is to wash your hands after using the bathroom, before eating and before preparing food."

On July 1, the county health department issued a warning about potential exposure to hepatitis A at the Genghis Grill, Tempe Marketplace, on specific dates in May and June.

Sunenshine said there was no confirmed case linked to the restaurant's exposure.

Nailea Leon of 92.3 FM from KTAR News contributed to the writing of this report.