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Hepatitis A cases nearly quadruple in Northern Kentucky

137 views · Published 5 December 2018 · 1:30 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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FLORENCE, Ky. (WKRC) - The Northern Kentucky Health Department says cases of hepatitis A have nearly quadrupled in four months. Two people have died.

Health officials say nearly 200 cases have been reported as of Nov. 29. When the outbreak began in August, the department said 50 cases had been reported.

There were no cases reported in Northern Kentucky in 2017.

Health officials continue to urge people to get the hepatitis A vaccine. Two doses are given six months apart. The first provides short-term protection. The second dose protects long-term. You can get the vaccine at your doctor's office and even at some health departments and pharmacies. Nobody will be turned away due to inability to pay or lack of insurance.

If you get the vaccine close enough to the time you contracted  the virus, it can eliminate the symptoms.

Proper hand washing and watching for symptoms of the virus are also strongly encouraged. Symptoms include:

Diarrhea
Jaundice
Fatigue
Stomachache
Loss of appetite

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