Hepatitis A Outbreak Confirmed in Nashville

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -

Metro Public Health Department officials announced on Friday details of a hepatitis A outbreak occurring in Nashville.

Health department officials said there have been 14 confirmed cases of acute hepatitis A in Nashville since Dec. 1, 2017.

The Metro Public Health Department is working with the Tennessee Department of Health on efforts to control the outbreak.

People don’t need to look out for anything. This is an outbreak that we can contain if we vaccinate the at-risk populations and we do so quickly,” said Brian Haile, CEO, Neighborhood Health.

There has been an average of two cases each year in Nashville over the past few years, according to a news release from the health department.

Large hepatitis A outbreaks have been occurring since early 2017 in several other states, including ongoing outbreaks in Kentucky and Indiana, spreading from person to person primarily among people who are homeless and people who use drugs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those at greatest risk of exposure to hepatitis A in the current outbreaks include:

• Illicit drug users (not just injection drug use)

• Men who have sexual contact with men

• Individuals experiencing homelessness

The health department will be offering free hepatitis A vaccines beginning Tuesday at all three health centers to those three risk groups.

Based on current confirmed cases, the immediate priority includes men who have sexual contact with men and illicit drug users (injection and non-injection).

The health department operates three health centers, East Health Center, 1015 East Trinity Lane, Lentz Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave., and Woodbine Health Center, 224 Oriel Ave. MPHD Health Centers are open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. The centers will be closed on Monday for Memorial Day.

The Metro Public Health Department has hepatitis A vaccine available for children and adults.

http://www.wsmv.com/story/38281017/hepatitis-a-outbreak-confirmed-in-nashville