Duval County leads the state in new Hepatitis A cases this year

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – New numbers from the Florida Department of Health show Duval County leads the state in new hepatitis A cases so far this year.

As of Saturday, 281 cases had been reported statewide in 2020, including 60 in Duval County and 12 in Clay County.

The News Service of Florida reports that the state was hit with a major outbreak of hepatitis A in 2019, with 3,396 cases reported statewide. State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, who doubles as secretary of the Department of Health, issued a public health emergency in August.

The outbreak is on a downward trend, but in the meantime, people are still at risk.

What is hepatitis A?

  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s a vaccine-preventable, communicable disease of the liver.
  • It is usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water.
  • Hepatitis A is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection.
  • Symptoms -- including fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea and jaundice -- usually resolve within two months of infection.

How do you keep from catching hepatitis A?

FDOH says to remember the acronym, VEST.

Vaccinate,

Educate,

Sanitize (by washing your hands) and

Tracking. FDOH and health partners track the virus to end the outbreak.

Remember, most hand sanitizers will not kill hepatitis A. Wash your hands with warm water and soap.