Source: https://www.benningtonbanner.com/sto...utbreak,594823


Vermont health officials declare hepatitis outbreak
Officials urge at-risk populations to get vaccinated
Posted Thursday, January 16, 2020 11:24 am

BURLINGTON — Vermont is in the early stages of an outbreak of hepatitis, the Vermont Department of Health announced Thursday. Vermont joins 30 other states, including New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

In 2019, Vermont had 12 cases of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, compared with the previous five-year average of three cases per year. Of the 12 cases, 58 percent were hospitalized. Many Vermont counties have reported cases, with most in the southern part of the state.

Health Commissioner Mark Levine, M.D., said case number trends have prompted the department to make the formal declaration...