Nashville Hepatitis Outbreak Grows

NASHVILLE, TN -- There are now 41 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in Davidson County as the health department continues battling the ongoing outbreak.

“We have added at least ten new vaccination outreach events in the last week,” said Rachel Franklin, Interim Director of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness. “These events are scheduled throughout the month of July and continue to focus on our at-risk populations. We also want to remind everyone that practicing good hand washing hygiene can help stop the spread of this illness. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, after you use the restroom and before eating or preparing any meals.”

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After confirming the outbreak the health department began offering free vaccinations to illegal drug users, people who are homeless and men who have sex with men, groups that have a higher risk of contracting the liver infection. Free vaccines are available at all three Health Centers - East at 1015 East Trinity Lane, Lentz at 2500 Charlotte Avenue and Woodbine at 224 Oriel Avenue. The immediate priority is the aforementioned at-risk groups and the health department emphasized that all illicit drug users, not just those who use injectable drugs, are at-risk.

Metro Health received an initial shipment of 1,000 doses of the hepatitis A vaccine from the state last month, followed by an additional 750 doses. The health department said the state has more doses available as needed.
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice and clay-colored stools. The disease can be severe in some people possibly requiring hospitalization, but most recover completely within a few weeks.Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A can also spread from close personal contact with an infected person such as through sex or caring for someone who is ill.

Health officials began offering hepatitis A vaccinations June 9 to inmates and staff alike at Davidson County Sheriff's Office facilities and that effort should be completed by the end of the week, the health department said. Going forward, the vaccine will be offered when a person is booked. In addition, all inmates are now screened for the disease before they are taken to court dates or appointments and those showing signs or symptoms are held in isolation until they are cleared by medical staff.

The health department and homeless commission are working together to vaccinate people who are homeless with the next clinic scheduled for July 9, 2 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Nashville Rescue Mission, 668 Lafayette Street.

An agreement with Neighborhood Health has been established to provide hepatitis A vaccine to those in the three at-risk groups. Neighborhood Health locations and hours of operation are as follows:

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

Image via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention