Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
KSNT News
KDHE still monitoring hepatitis A outbreak in Shawnee Co.
By Colter Robinson,
2024-03-27
TOPEKA ( KSNT ) – The local health department is working with state officials to track a highly contagious disease.
KSNT 27 News checked in with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on a hepatitis A outbreak that was first discovered in August of 2022 . According to the KDHE, they are still monitoring the situation.
According to KDHE Communications Director Jill Bronaugh, an outbreak is considered over when two incubation periods pass with no new cases found. With hepatitis A, the incubation period is 28 days.
Since the start of the outbreak, a total of 112 cases have been reported with 34 people hospitalized. In 2024, there have been 26 reported cases. No deaths have been reported as of yet, according to the KDHE Hepatitis A Outbreak website .
According to the KDHE , Whenever a new case is reported to the agency, investigators will interview the individual and try to identify potential risk factors. Risk factors represent factors that could increase a person’s likelihood to be exposed to the virus. The largest risk factor reported has been ‘current drug use’ making up 62 cases or 55% of all reported cases. The next largest risk factor was homelessness making up 21% of reported cases.
Hepatitis A is currently spread through close personal contact and is not through contaminated foods, drinks or infected food handlers, according to the press release. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent Hepatitis A. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following people are encouraged get vaccinated:
People who use injection or non-injection drugs;
People experiencing unstable housing or homelessness;
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0