As another person dies from hepatitis A, who is at risk?

As a fifth person in Louisville has died from the city's worst-ever hepatitis A outbreak, you may be wondering: Who is most at risk for contracting the disease?

Dr. Lori Caloia, the city heath department's medical director, has cautioned that anyone over age 50 is at an increased risk of death if they contract the virus. That especially applies to anyone who already has hepatitis B or C, she said.

Hepatitis A attacks the liver, hindering its mission to rid the body of toxins, she said. And it also can block blood clotting.

Those with other forms of hepatitis, liver diseases and autoimmune disorders have a higher risk of contracting the disease, said Dave Langdon, spokesman for the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.

"Sharing a home, a cigarette, marijuana joint, a drink, or sex with someone who has the virus puts you at high risk," according an advisory on the city's website.

Person-to-person contact and poor hygiene are blamed for the majority of the state's cases. However, about 10 percent of those who have contracted the virus statewide had no known risk factors.

The disease can be spread through contact with objects, surfaces, food or drinks contaminated by feces or stool from an infected person.

The most dangerous symptoms can be ongoing vomiting and diarrhea because the rapid lose of fluids can be life threatening, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's key for victims to seek treatment for dehydration.

Background:Kentucky's hepatitis A outbreak is the worst in the nation

The latest death was "in the last five days or so," Langdon told the Courier Journal on Thursday. 

There's still a low risk of death considering only five of 580 reported victims died.

And statewide, the death rate is .06 percent, considered very low, said Dr. Jeff Howard, Kentucky Commissioner of Public Health. 

In addition to the deaths in Jefferson County, there have been three deaths statewide, including one each in Ballard, Meade and Greenup counties.

The statewide outbreak, which began last fall, has mostly spread among drug users and homeless men and women or people who work with them, local and state health officials said. 

Statewide, there were 1,341 confirmed hepatitis A cases as of Aug. 4 and more than 750 of those victims have been hospitalized, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services' website. Epidemiologists with the CDC have been in Louisville to study the outbreak, also considered the worst in the nation's history.  Several cases in Kentucky have been genetically linked to strains in California, Utah and Michigan — especially San Diego and Utah, according to state health officials.

Just how painful is this virus? A Louisville firefighter didn't miss a day of work in 10 years until he got hepatitis A

Symptoms can take one to two weeks — even up to seven weeks — to surface and also include darker urine, lighter stools, acute abdominal pain and yellowing of the eyes and skin. 

Kentucky's current outbreak already has targeted four times more victims than the state's last epidemic in 1988. Only one died then.

Zahria Rogers contributed reporting. Reporter Beth Warren: bwarren@courier-journal.com; 502-582-7164; Twitter @BethWarrenCJ. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/bethw.

From last month:Louisville's hepatitis A team is making progress fighting the outbreak

WHERE TO GET VACCINATED

Louisville health officials created an online resource guide for residents who want to protect themselves with the vaccine. The health department also is administering the shots, but lines can be long. No appointment is needed, but bring your insurance card to 400 E. Gray St. Hours are: Mondays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m.