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

The hepatitis A epidemic in Kentucky has left another victim, bringing to 44 the number of deaths from the epidemic, according to the latest weekly report released Tuesday.

So far, the country's largest outbreak of hepatitis A, reported in November 2017, has caused 4,288 outbreaks, resulting in the dispatch of 2,065 people to the hospital .

Officials do not provide details about the casualties or the location and dates of deaths associated with infectious liver virus that can be prevented by vaccination.

The new report also shows that cases continue to decline in rural Kentucky.

Dr. Charles Noplis, a psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of addiction, said that a large number of Kentuckians who died of hepatitis A were more vulnerable because they had other health problems, such as hepatitis C. The general public in general, death by hepatitis A rare.

Brandy Stafford shows a photo of her childhood brother James Ramey in front of the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Prestonsburg, Kentucky on January 9, 2019. Ramsey died of hepatitis A in November 2018. (Photo: Nikki Boliaux)

"I would never have guessed that the number of deaths would be so high," said Noplis, who works at Renew Recovery and sees patients in London, Kentucky. "I think this highlights the biggest problems in the southeast of the state.We need better health care, better education."

Related: Here is what you need to know about hepatitis A in Kentucky

Mr Noplis said he would like to see more syringe service programs in the area, which would allow people to access drug treatment and screening for the disease.

The hepatitis A epidemic, which is spreading mainly by drug addicts, has affected 104 of Kentucky's 120 counties since its inception. During the week ending March 2nd, 21 counties reported new cases.

The state recorded 34 new cases nationwide this week and 56 the previous week, up from a peak of 151 cases per week last fall.

The report was released a day after lawmakers in Kentucky tabled a resolution asking the Health and Family Services Cabinet to consider its response to the deadly hepatitis A epidemic. The measure has not been approved by both chambers of the legislature.

"Kentucky could improve its response to future epidemics by considering whether measures should have been taken more quickly, more resources should have been mobilized to provide the vaccine" and whether "access to the vaccine should have been better distributed geographically ", says the resolution.

The last: Examination of the response to hepatitis A in Kentucky gets bipartisan support

This follows an investigation by the Courier Journal that revealed that the state's former head of infectious diseases had lobbied unsuccessfully last spring for the state to react more aggressively and more aggressively. costly in the face of the epidemic that was raging in rural counties before it swept over the Appalachian and Kentucky regions.

Dr. Robert Brawley, former head of the Division of Infectious Diseases of the State Department of Health, recommended $ 6 million for vaccines and $ 4 million for temporary workers in local health departments. a reduced number of staff.

He also called for a public health emergency declaration to help pave the way for federal help. Other members of the ministry also stated that they felt that a stronger response was needed.

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The Department of Public Health, led by Commissioner Jeffrey Howard, instead sent $ 2.2 million in public funds to local health departments. Howard refused to declare an emergency. In a previous interview, he had stated that he would be willing to ask for more funding if needed.

Public health officials defended their approach, saying that they used limited budgets to target hard-to-reach rural drug users in counties such as prisons, needle exchange centers, and hospitals. detox centers, spending $ 2.2 million on public funds alone, in addition to the federal vaccine and money.

But several federal lawmakers also questioned the state's response. Hal Rogers, a Republican from eastern Kentucky, was "disappointed by the reports that clear alarm signals and serious bells would not have been heard sooner" , while the outbreak was spreading in the Appalachian Mountains as a result of vigorous efforts to contain it in Louisville.

US Representative John Yarmuth, a Democrat from Louisville, "remains concerned about the state's reaction, particularly in light of another unfortunate death," his spokesman said Tuesday.

"The people of Kentucky deserve a thorough review and appropriate oversight of all entities to address this public health threat, and hope that all parties, at the local and regional levels, will continue to work together to determine what needs to be done. It has not worked and the next steps can be taken to better cope with this dangerous situation. "

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A congressman, John Yarmuth, will speak at a press conference near the construction site of the new Passport headquarters on West Broadway. March 4, 2019 (Photo: Alton Strupp / Courier Journal)

Cabinet officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest figures appearing in the weekly report of the state.

But Howard told the Associated Press this week that he would favor a department magazine.

"In public health and in cabinet, we are constantly reviewing our responses, so it's not new," he said. "We will simply make a report available to our legislators."

L & # 39; survey: Kentucky's "too low and too slow" response to the country's worst hepatitis A epidemic

Follow Chris Kenning on Twitter @chris_kenning.

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