Two More Hepatitis A Related Deaths Reported in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky health officials have announced that they are investigating two recent deaths related to hepatitis A in Franklin County.

The Ministry of Public Health declared an epidemic of hepatitis A last year.

Since August 2017, more than 2,275 cases of acute hepatitis A associated with an outbreak have been reported in 94 of 120 counties in Kentucky. The agency claims that hepatitis A was a contributing factor in 16 deaths during the outbreak, including the two recent deaths in Franklin County.

For Jeffrey Howard, Commissioner of the Ministry of Public Health, the best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated.

Symptoms include jaundice, dark colored urine, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and fever.

Although cases occur in food handlers, the authorities state that food or beverages have not been identified as potential sources of infection in counties affected by an outbreak of hepatitis A.