State Health Department investigating a possible death related to hepatitis A

Ned Kirsch, director of the Franklin West Supervisory Union, died last week. Photo Twitter

HHealth officials in Vermont are in contact with their counterparts in Florida, where an outbreak of hepatitis A is underway, following the sudden death of a director from Franklin County School.

Ned Kirsch, the director of the Franklin West Supervisory Union, died suddenly Wednesday, a few days after returning from a trip to the Sunshine State, where his brother and sister-in-law, Jeffrey and Nancy Kirsch, died at the end of March, as a result of complications. of hepatitis A, according to health officials.

"We are working with Vermont health officials to determine whether there is a link between the tragic death of this gentleman and hepatitis A in Florida," said the epidemiologist. State Carina Blackmore in a statement released Friday by the Florida Department of Health in Martin County. 19 cases of the virus were confirmed in Martin County, including three deaths.

The Vermont pathologist is investigating the death of Ned Kirsch and the test results are pending.

"At this point, we are not concerned about a permanent threat to public health related to hepatitis A," said Ben Truman, spokesman for the Vermont Department of Health.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Infected individuals will not necessarily present any symptoms. If symptoms occur, they will appear two to six weeks after the infection and may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, stomach pain, diarrhea and jaundice. Hepatitis A is preventable by vaccination and hand washing can help prevent its spread.

The disease is not usually fatal, but according to health officials, people with chronic diseases, compromised immune systems and the elderly are more likely to experience severe symptoms leading to liver failure and death possible.

Hepatitis A is relatively rare in Vermont, with only a handful of cases reported each year. According to the Ministry of Health, two cases were reported in 2014, three in 2015, five in 2016, two in 2017 and three in 2018.

Vermont State Secretary for Education, Dan French, has called Kirsch, 53, a "friend and colleague whose work is highly respected," in a statement released Friday.

"His death is a huge loss for the Vermont educational community. He was a leading opinion leader on the use of technology in schools, personalizing student learning and international education. He was an inspiring and innovative leader, "said French.