Hepatitis A outbreak continues to grow in Nashville; now 34 confirmed cases

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Metro Health said the Hepatitis A outbreak has continued to grow and is now at 34 confirmed cases in Nashville.

The 34 cases have been confirmed since December 2017. Of those cases, four were Davidson County inmates

“Metro Public Health Department staff, working with multiple community partners, continues to plan additional opportunities to offer the hepatitis A vaccine to the at-risk communities,” said Rachel Franklin, Interim Director of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness. “This week we added three vaccination clinics to reach people experiencing homelessness. Our staff vaccinated nearly 200 among the at-risk group at last weekend’s PRIDE Festival and we are planning additional locations to offer the vaccine in the coming weeks to reach the MSM community.”

Metro Health officials are working with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office to work on preventative measures. Since June 9, health officials began offering Hep A vaccines to the inmates and staff.

All inmates will also have to go through a screening before any scheduled appointments or court dates.

There haven't been any confirmed cases in Nashville's homeless population, but health officials say they're working with the Nashville Homeless Commission on a hepatitis A vaccine campaign to reach the homeless.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the following are the most at risk during this Hep A outbreak:

• Illicit drug users (not just injection drug use)
• Men who have sexual contact with men
• Individuals experiencing homelessness

FREE vaccines are available for people in these risk groups from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday:

• East Health Center, 1015 East Trinity Lane
• Lentz Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave.
• Woodbine Health Center, 224 Oriel Ave

Neighborhood Health also works with health officials to distribute he Hep A vaccine by walk-in or by appointment at the following locations:

• Downtown Clinic, 526 8th Avenue South (adjacent to the Room in the Inn campus), open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Madison Clinic, 601 W. Due West Avenue, open 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday
• My House Clinic, 442 Metroplex Dr. Building D, Suite 200, open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday