[ad_1]
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) – The Tennessee Department of Health is warning that an epidemic of hepatitis A has killed one person and made more than 400 others sick.
According to the ministry, the epidemic is hitting Nashville and Chattanooga more strongly.
Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner (DRYZ -nur) said in a press release that more than half of the people identified with the disease needed to be hospitalized and that more deaths were possible .
Hepatitis A is a liver disease that is usually spread through contact with contaminated feces or through the consumption of contaminated food or water. The epidemic in Tennessee is linked to a major epidemic in several states that began in 2017. It primarily affects drug users for recreational purposes and homeless people.
A vaccine is available and more than 36,000 doses have been provided to those most at risk.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, disseminated, rewritten or redistributed.
Source link