The Florida Department of Health reported 37 additional hepatitis A outbreak cases during the past week, bringing the total to 205 recorded to date in 2020.
So far in the Tampa Bay area this year, cases have been reported in Polk (13), Hillsborough (6), Pasco (5) and Manatee (1).
Since the outbreak began in January 2018, 4,150 hepatitis A cases were reported, including 62 deaths.
Nationally, since the outbreaks were first identified in 2016, 32 states have publicly reported 31,093 and 314 deaths.
The hepatitis A vaccine is the best way to prevent hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection
- The following groups are at highest risk for acquiring HAV infection or developing serious complications from HAV infection in these outbreaks and should be offered the hepatitis A vaccine in order to prevent or control an outbreak:
- People who use drugs (injection or non-injection)
- People experiencing unstable housing or homelessness
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- People who are currently or were recently incarcerated
- People with chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
