Health district reports increase in hepatitis A cases in Clark County

CLARK COUNTY — Health officials are reporting a large increase in hepatitis A cases in Clark County, as a statewide outbreak continues, according to the Clark County Combined Health District.

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The CCCHD reports 38 cases of hepatitis A have been investigated as of Feb. 5, 23 of which are connected to the current outbreak reported in Ohio, the health district said in a media release Monday.

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Before the statewide outbreak that started in 2018, the last confirmed case in Clark County was in 2011, the health district said.

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Ohio currently reports 1,595 cases connected to the statewide outbreak.

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The health district describes hepatitis A as a vaccine-preventable liver disease that usually spreads when a person ingests fecal matter, even in small amounts, from contact with food, drinks, or objects contaminated by an infected person.

“The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is to get vaccinated,” Charles Patterson, Health Commissioner said in the media release.

“Proper and frequent hand washing is also a key factor in controlling the spread of disease.”

We’ll update this story as new details become available.