While the COVID-19 pandemic remains the focus of media, politicians and the public, the hepatitis A outbreak in Florida never really went away.
Since the start of the outbreak in early 2018, the Sunshine state has seen 4,943 hepatitis A cases, only Kentucky has reported more.
76 deaths have been attributed to the outbreak.
In 2020, Duval County saw the most cases with 208, followed by Escambia County with 119.
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Nationally, since the outbreaks were first identified in 2016, 35 states have publicly reported the following as of December 18, 2020
- Cases: 37,121
- Hospitalizations: 22,721 (61%)
- Deaths: 348
Hepatitis A vaccination is your best protection against the virus. Most vaccinations come in two doses given six months apart.
FDOH recommends vaccination if you:
• Are homeless or your housing is unstable.
• Use illicit recreational drugs—injected or not.
• Want protection (immunity) from the virus.
• Have adopted or care for a child who comes from a country where hepatitis A is common.
• Are 60 or older and have a serious underlying medical condition.
• Have chronic or long-term liver disease, including hepatitis B or C.
• Have a clotting-factor disorder.
• Have come into direct contact with others who have the virus.
• Are a man who has sex with other men.
• Have traveled to or will travel to countries where the virus is common