The Mississippi State Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections in Mississippi. Since April 2019, there has been marked and sustained transmission of hepatitis A in the state. This recent sharp increase follows a national trend of hepatitis A spread, as well as recent increases in neighboring states.
The outbreak in Mississippi is mainly affecting certain high-risk groups:
- People reporting drug use (IV and non-IV drugs)
- People who are currently or were recently in jail or prison
- People with unstable housing, or who are homeless
- Men who have sex with men
- People who have been in close contact with someone infected with hepatitis A
The Mississippi State Department of health strongly recommends that people in these high-risk groups be vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Mississippi snapshot as of February 26, 2020
187
Since April 1, 2019
69%
0
- Age range: 2–90 years of age (median age: 36 years)
- Male: 114 (61%); Female: 73 (39%)
- Recreational drug use: 136 (74%)
- Men who have sex with men (MSM): 3 (3%)
- Homeless: 36 (20%)
- Incarcerated/Recently Incarcerated: 4 (4%)
What Is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral disease of the liver transmitted by close personal contact, including sexual contact, or consumption of food or water contaminated by an infected person. Hepatitis A causes fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea and jaundice for up to two months of infection. Vaccination is the best protection against hepatitis A infection.
How is Hepatitis A Spread?
Hepatitis A infection spreads from an infected person to other by personal contact or contact with objects or food they handle:
- Ingestion of the virus through close personal contact with an infected person, such caring for someone who has hepatitis A or living in the same household as someone who is infected
- Consuming food or drink that is contaminated with feces of an infected person
- Handling objects or sharing objects that are contaminated with the feces of an infected person
Hepatitis A Prevention
Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A virus infection. Hepatitis A vaccination is strongly recommended for persons at higher risk in the current outbreak:
- People reporting drug use (IV and non-IV drugs)
- People who are currently or were recently in jail or prison
- People with unstable housing or homeless
- Men who have sex with men
- People who have been in close contact with someone infected with hepatitis A
In addition, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) also recommends routine hepatitis A vaccination for the following people:
- All children at age 1 year
- Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common
- People with direct contact with others who have hepatitis A
- Family and caregivers of adoptees from countries where hepatitis A is common
- People with chronic or long-term liver disease, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- People with clotting-factor disorders
- Any person wishing to be protected against hepatitis A
Getting Vaccinated
Hepatitis A vaccine can be obtained through your healthcare provider or pharmacist. If you are uninsured or underinsured, vaccination is available through any county health department.
