The Georgia Department of Public Health says the state is now experiencing an outbreak of Hepatitis A. 

Public health officials say that 316 cases of Hepatitis A have been identified across the state with 143 confirmed cases in northwest Georgia alone – according to the Northwest Georgia Public Health District.  Twenty-four cases have been reported in Chattooga County.

There have also been reports from both the Chattanooga, Tennessee and Ft Payne, Alabama areas about cases of Hepatitis A being spread by food service workers. 

Health officials say the disease is a highly contagious liver infection that is spread like many viruses – being ingested from objects, food or drinks that have been contaminated by small, undetected amounts of feces from an infected person.  Hepatitis A is also spread by sexual contact or even close personal contact.

Back on May 10th, Cherokee County had one confirmed case of Hepatitis A, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health

Up to that point the ADPH had reported a total of 54 cases of the disease over the last fiscal year compared to just 17 the previous year – with both DeKalb and Jackson counties listed under “outbreak” status, with 19 cases and 26 cases respectively.  Those counties reporting Hepatitis A at non-outbreak levels – defined by the ADPH as “typically less than two cases” – in addition to Cherokee – included Etowah, Jefferson, Marshall, Shelby and Montgomery.

The demographics for the Alabama cases are white males with a median age of 40 – with a significant percentage being individuals who were incarcerated or involved in drug use and about half of those cases resulted in hospitalization.  Most people fully recover however some do develop serious conditions which can be fatal. 

Symptoms of Hepatitis A – including fever, headache, fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain or nausea, vomiting, dark urine or jaundice – will typically appear from 15 to 50 days after the initial exposure.

The Department of Public Health says that vaccination is the best way to prevent Hepatitis A and that frequent hand washing – especially for those working around food – is a way to prevent the spread of the disease.