MOREHOUSE PARISH (12/10/18) – A huge outbreak of Hepatitis A in Arkansas could be the reason Northeast Louisiana is seeing a spike in people infected.
It’s a virus that attacks the liver.
“Once the liver is affected you start to turn yellow a little on your skin your eyes turn yellow and you feel terrible”, said Dr. Frank Welch, program director for Louisiana state immunization.
It all starts with simple cold-like symptoms like a runny nose and headaches.
Dr. Welch says the U.S. has seen a steady increase of Hepatitis A cases over the last two years.
“Normally in any given year in Louisiana we have about 15 maybe 18 cases of Hepatitis A every year and so far we’ve had almost 30”, said Dr. Welch.
The cases mainly come about in Baton Rouge but now its made its way to rural areas. There have been 7confirmed cases in Morehouse Parish this year. Dr. Welch attributes the uptick with migration.
“Just north of us in Arkansas they have had huge outbreaks…more than 1,000 people”, said Dr. Welch.
The virus spreads through fecal matter and poor hygiene, affecting many people experiencing homelessness and those who use drugs. Once infected, you have to let the virus run its course.
However, most kids under the age of fifteen have been vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
“One dose of the vaccine is 93% protective. If you’re not sure if you’ve been vaccinated go see your doctor and get a vaccine” said Dr. Welch.
To help prevent this virus from spreading further, Welch suggests thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water.
Louisiana’s Department of Health has been reaching out to make the homeless aware of Hepatitis dangers and the vaccine available. Local public health units offer the hepatitis a vaccine for free if you don’t have insurance.
