IL: 2019 Hepatitis A

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Source: https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20190201/health-department-sees-increase-in-hepatitis-a-virus


Health department sees increase in hepatitis A virus
Submitted by Brian Louie
Updated 2/11/2019 9:23 AM

The Lake County Health Department is informing the public that there has been a recent increase in reported cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) throughout the State of Illinois and in Lake County.

Since January 2018, the Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed 110 cases of HAV and has identified 35 cases to be part of a statewide outbreak.

"We encourage any resident who is exhibiting symptoms of HAV to seek medical attention immediately," said Dr. Sana Ahmed, Medical Epidemiologist at the Lake County Health Department. "We also encourage residents at high-risk for infection to get vaccinated for hepatitis A."...

 

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Source: https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/22/hepatitis-a-outbreak-reported-in-illinois/

Hepatitis A Outbreak Reported In Illinois
February 22, 2019 at 12:28 pm
Filed Under:Cook County, Hepatitis A, Illinois Department of Public Health

Chicago (CBS) ? The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting a hepatitis A outbreak with 44 confirmed cases across the state.

The majority of cases are among individuals at high risk for infection?including men who have sex with men, homeless individuals and/or those who use drugs.

The individuals infected range in age from 20 to 63 years old with an average age of 38.

Of those infected, 68 percent are male; 62 percent reported illicit drug use and 33 percent identified themselves as men who have sex with men.

Edgar County in central Illinois reported 13 of the 44 cases. Cook County reported seven...