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State Health Department declares Hepatitis A outbreak in Louisiana

Symptoms of the potentially fatal disease include fever, fatigue, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

(NEW ORLEANS) — An outbreak of Hepatitis A has hit Louisiana. Health officials say the virus can easily be transmitted but the homeless and drug abusing community are particularly susceptible.

Kelly runs Covenant House, a shelter for youth and the homeless, and this latest announcement from the Louisiana Department of Health has him very alarmed.

"This one seems more geared towards the people here at Covenant House," Jim Kelly said. "Because we are caring for such a young, vulnerable homeless population."

According to the State Department of Health, 24 cases of Hepatitis A have been reported, nearly three times the number last year, and the department lists among those highest at risk are the homeless.

Dr. Alex Billioux with the State Department of Health is now working to reach out to vulnerable communities, but there's a reason for everyone to worry.

"Hepatitis A is an infection that is well described basically it gets passed through fecal-oral contact so it gets passed in the feces of any infected individual," he said.

"The opioid epidemic that we are fighting statewide and the increased use there we think is also fueling Hepatitis A," Billioux said.

Dr. Fred Lopez, an infectious disease specialist at LSU Health Science Center says he's noticed outbreaks across the country since 2016.

He tells us symptoms generally develop over days, they include fever, fatigue, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Dr. Lopez adds, symptoms typically resolve on their own, but not always.

"People can die from Hepatitis A," he said.

Back at Covenant House, Jim Kelly wonders if help will come soon enough.

"You know one of the things they talked about is a vaccine for children, 1-year-old or younger, are we going to spend the money?" Kelly asked. "Are we really going to be reaching that population."

The State Health Department said declaring an outbreak is the first step in getting more federal resources to help prevent the disease from spreading, in the meantime it warns, the best protection is getting a vaccination if possible, and hand washing.

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