Protecting yourself from hepatitis A

A hepatitis A outbreak in southern Idaho has infected at least 12 people according to the health department. Only eight people in Idaho were infected in 2018. Some are asking, ‘What is hepatitis?’

“It basically means inflammation of the liver,” said Mike Taylor, surveillance epidemiologist for Eastern Idaho Public Health. “And so there’s different viruses that attack the liver, that’s why we have hepatitis A, B and C. They’re all different diseases. But hepatitis A is most commonly known to be spread through a fecal oral transmission.”

The hepatitis A outbreak mainly affects the transient and homeless population. Symptoms show up about two to seven weeks after the infection. It is contained to southern Idaho and is not expected to come to eastern Idaho.

“The chance for it to spread is relatively low, especially if you’re vaccinated,” Taylor said. “We know that that vaccine is over 99 percent effective after the second dose. Even just the first dose is over 90 percent effective.”

Eastern Idaho Public Health says the best method of prevention against hep A is vaccinations. Hep A and hep B vaccines are now part of the routinely recommended vaccinations for children. Another good way to prevent getting the virus is washing your hands.

“We see that vaccines help play a role in preventing disease,” Taylor said. “And this is just another good reminder as is with measles and other things that seem to be popping up, like mumps as well and hepatitis A. If we get our routine recommended vaccinations we can help prevent the spread of disease.”

Eastern Idaho Public Health is holding a free childhood immunization clinic in Idaho Falls on April 22. If you are uninsured, you can get vaccinations for free. All you have to do is make an appointment before you go.