Hepatitis A is quickly spreading across the Wabash Valley.
The latest totals show 14 confirmed cases of the disease in Edgar County, Ill., and another 10 cases have been confirmed in Vigo County, Ind.
The cases are part of a larger national outbreak that includes both Illinois and Indiana.
The infection, that can cause liver damage, is easily passed from person to person through food, water, drug use and/or sexual contact. While it is easy to spread, it is also vaccine-preventable, according to information provided by the Edgar County Public Health Department.
Area health departments are encouraging anyone who is in close-contact with an infected person, including living in the same household, sexual contact and/or sharing needles, to get vaccinated.
Anyone who is at high risk of being infected should also be vaccinated. Those considered high-risk include: men who have sex with men, anyone who injects drugs and anyone with a history of being homeless and/or incarcerated.
Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements and joint pain.
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of hepatitis A should contact their healthcare provider or visit the nearest emergency room.
Those wanting to be vaccinated should contact their healthcare provider or local health department.
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