Arkansas and Tennessee Report Additional Hepatitis A Cases

The 2018 hepatitis A virus outbreak continues to impact people nationwide.

As previously reported, the CDC has issued hepatitis A alerts in various states during 2018.

On June 6, 2018, the Arkansas health department reported a total 31 hepatitis A cases during 2018, with a majority located in Clay and Greene counties.

All of the Arkansas cases have been in adults.

“The number of cases in this Hep A outbreak is continuing to rise,” said Dr. Dirk Haselow, Arkansas State Epidemiologist, in a press release. “We are encouraging everyone in these areas to be aware of the risk factors for getting hepatitis A and to get vaccinated if needed.”

Separately, on June 7, 2018, the Nashville, Tennessee Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) officials reported 2 additional hepatitis A virus (HAV) cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 16 since December 2017.

The HAV is usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water.

The diagnosis of HAV requires a positive test for antibody to HAV (anti-HAV) IgM in serum.

This anti-HAV is detectable from 2 weeks before the onset of symptoms, to approximately 6 months afterward. Serologic tests for total anti-HAV (IgG and IgM) are available commercially.

“Some of the at-risk Hepatitis A groups include international travelers, persons with chronic liver disease or a clotting-factor disorder,” said Natasha Gildersleeve, PharmD, MTM Clinical Pharmacist at Brookshire Grocery Company.

“Ask your doctor or your pharmacist if you need to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A," said Gildersleeve.

Hepatitis A is among the most common vaccine-preventable infections acquired during international travel.

Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can occur in those who live in or visit rural areas or frequently eat or drink in settings of poor sanitation, says the CDC. 

Travelers who are exposed to HAV and who have not received hepatitis A vaccine previously, should be administered 1 dose of monovalent hepatitis A vaccine or IG (0.1 mL/kg) as soon as possible, ideally within 2 weeks of exposure.

For people who do have contact with a person with Hepatitis A virus, Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended by the CDC for unvaccinated people who have been exposed during the previous 2 weeks.

People with evidence of previous vaccination do not require PEP.

In the USA, there are 3 FDA approved hepatitis A vaccines: Vaqta, Havrix, and Twinrix.

Most pharmacies offer these hepatitis vaccines.

To schedule a vaccination appointment at a local pharmacy, please click here.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides current HAV vaccine contract prices and general information, and vaccine discounts can be found here.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, says the CDC. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.