GA: 2019 Hepatitis A

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Source: https://www.wabe.org/hepatitis-a-inf...ng-in-georgia/

Hepatitis A Infections Surging In Georgia
Andy Miller, Georgia Health News ? Mar 15, 2019
Since January 2018, 170 acute hepatitis A infections, including one death, have been identified in Georgia. That?s more than six times the number of infections reported in 2017.


Public health officials say they?ve seen a big increase in acute hepatitis A infections in Georgia...

...Since January 2018, 170 acute hepatitis A infections, including one death, have been identified in the state. That?s more than six times the number of infections reported in 2017.

Of the 170 cases, 87 have been identified since the beginning of this year, said Public Health spokeswoman Nancy Nydam.

About 60 percent of the infections have occurred in northwest Georgia, North Georgia and the Augusta area. But hepatitis A cases also have increased in other areas of the state, Public Health said...

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Source: https://www.chattanoogan.com/2019/4/...ooga-Area.aspx

New Case Confirmed Of Chattanooga Area Food Handler With Hepatitis A
Friday, April 5, 2019

Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District officials have confirmed a case of hepatitis A in a food handler at a Krystal restaurant, 2560 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe.

An investigation found that this employee worked at the restaurant while infectious, from March 15-24.

District Health Director Dr. Unini Odama said, "It is relatively rare for restaurant patrons to become infected with hepatitis A virus due to an infected food handler, but there might be some risk to the public, and therefore we are doing everything necessary to protect the public and anyone that might have been inadvertently exposed to the hepatitis A virus.?..

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Source: https://www.wsav.com/news/health-new...ant/1917570641

Health department reports hepatitis A case at Savannah restaurant
By: WSAV Staff
Posted: Apr 11, 2019 11:53 AM EDT
Updated: Apr 11, 2019 12:01 PM EDT

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) - A food handler at the Zaxby?s on Ogeechee Road has been diagnosed with a case of hepatitis A, according to public health officials.

The Chatham County Health Department says customers at the restaurant at 5971 Ogeechee Road may have been exposed to the viral infection of the liver in late March to early April.

?It is relatively rare for restaurant patrons to become infected with hepatitis A virus due to an
infected food handler,? a statement from the health department reads. ?However, anyone who consumed food and/or drink at the restaurant between March 29 and April 3 should watch for the symptoms of hepatitis A infection.?...

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Source: https://www.firstcoastnews.com/artic...0-fe4c47b0b0aa

Statewide Hepatitis A outbreak reported in Georgia
The number of cases identified is nine times higher than the total of 24 infections identified in 2017, the department says.
Author: WTLV Staff
Published: 11:58 AM EDT April 22, 2019
Updated: 11:58 AM EDT April 22, 2019

The Georgia Department of Public Health is reporting a statewide outbreak of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) after 250 cases of the infection have been identified.

The department says the cases date as far back as June 2018. The number of cases identified is nine times higher than the total of 24 infections identified in 2017, the department says...

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Source: https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/bar...-say/962088452


Hepatitis A outbreak in NW Georgia growing along I-75 corridor, officials say
By: Nicole Carr
Updated: Jun 27, 2019 - 5:57 PM

Channel 2 Action News has learned a hepatitis A outbreak can be traced along I-75 and its many restaurants.

BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. - Channel 2 Action News is taking a closer look at the hepatitis A outbreak in Georgia after a worker at a popular Mexican restaurant tested positive for the virus.

From three to nearly 200, that's how many hepatitis A infections have been reported in northwest Georgia as the state deals with the outbreak.

Channel 2 Action News has learned it can be traced along I-75.

"People who don't wash their hands after using the restrooms contaminate surfaces, contaminate food and contaminate drugs themselves," said customer Kasi Flynn...

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Source: http://www.fox5atlanta.com/health/gr...tis-a-outbreak


Growing concerns about hepatitis A outbreak
By Elizabeth Rawlins , FOX 5 News
Posted Jul 11 2019 10:28PM EDT

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - FOX 5 News has learned more details about Georgia's Hepatitis Outbreak.

Since June 2018, more than 460 cases have been reported in the state, compared to only 24 infections in 2017.

The latest case reported was in Gwinnett County where a restaurant employee was recently diagnosed with the virus. This comes less than a month after another restaurant employee was diagnosed in Cartersville.

This week, members of the Georgia's Public Health Board were briefed during their monthly meeting about the alarming increase of Hepatitis A cases in Georgia.

"We've been promoting this message that we can't let up, we can't think we are doing OK," said Cherie Drenzek, State Epidemiologist and Chief Science Officer

Health experts said most of the 468 cases that have been reported since June 2018 were related to illicit drug use or came in contact with a person who had it, like a food handler.

Gwinnett County Health Officials are concerned a Wendy's employee may have been able to spread the virus to others between June 13 and June 29.

They are asking anyone who ate the restaurant on Scenic Highway during that time period to monitor their health symptoms and to get a hepatitis A vaccination...

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Source: https://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2019/08...break-expands/


576 Hepatitis A Cases, 3 Deaths, In GA As Outbreak Expands
August 23, 2019 at 10:36 am

ATLANTA, GA ? Health officials are reminding Georgia residents of how to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A as an outbreak expands and includes three deaths in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also been investigating the outbreak that has hit 29 states...

...Nearly 60 percent of the infections have occurred in Northwest and North Georgia as well as the Augusta area, the Georgia Department of Public Health said this spring. As of Aug. 10, the agency has confirmed 576 cases of Hepatitis A, and of those 391 patients have been hospitalized...