Health departments react to hepatitis A outbreak

WHEELING, W.Va. — A Hepatitis A outbreak in West Virginia and across part of the nation has prompted health departments to act.

The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department is holding three free clinics for first responders to get vaccinated.

The first one will be held Wednesday.

First responders need to bring proof of employment and identification.

"It's a West Virginia first responder, so an individual could live out of state, but as long as they have worked as a first responder in the state of West Virginia, and they can call ahead and put their name on the list or just show up 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 Wednesdays,” said Howard Gamble, health department administrator.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked West Virginia's outbreak to a multi-state outbreak, which includes Ohio.

In May, the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health purchased $550,000 worth of Hepatitis A vaccines for use throughout the state to combat the outbreak.