Shawnee Co. health officials create a way to track contagious disease
27 March 2024
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.
Photo provided courtesy of the KDHE
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;
People currently or recently in prison;
People at increased risk of severe disease from infection, such as those with chronic liver disease or viral hepatitis infection; and
People who provide care for individuals experiencing homelessness, drug use, or the elderly.
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