Hepatitis A Infections On The Rise In North Carolina: DHHS

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina has seen a significant increase in hepatitis A cases this past year, with nearly 500 cases reported so far this year, according to state public health officials.

"Since Jan. 1, 2021, 495 outbreak associated cases of hepatitis A were reported, indicating a marked increase in transmission," North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said.

North Carolina is one of 36 states in the nation with an ongoing outbreak, reporting more than 1,000 cases since early 2018. Of those cases, 620 — about 63 percent — of cases have resulted in hospitalizations and 16 people have died.

Nationwide, more than 41,000 hepatitis A cases associated with a 2017 outbreak have been reported, more than 25,000 hospitalizations and 382 deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The best way to protect yourself against hepatitis A is through vaccination," said Dr. Erica Wilson, vaccine preventable disease medical director in DHHS’ Division of Public Health. "As always, good hand-washing is key, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before preparing or eating food. Using harm reduction strategies and syringe service programs is also key in reducing the risk for people who use drugs."

The virus is typically transmitted from person-to-person when it is ingested from objects, food or drinks contaminated by a stool from an infected person, according to health officials. This can happen when infected people do not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom and then touch food or items that are shared with others. Someone preparing food can be a source of outbreaks, as well as cooked foods that are not heated to temperatures capable of killing the virus during preparation (185 degrees F for one minute) and foods that are contaminated after cooking, the CDC says.

Those most at risk for acquiring hepatitis A, according to the CDC, are those who use drugs, the homeless, men who have sex with men, those who are currently or recently incarcerated and those with chronic liver disease.

Most adults with hepatitis A have symptoms including fever, fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea and jaundice, that usually resolve within 2 months of infection; most children less than 6 years of age do not have symptoms or have an unrecognized infection, according to the CDC.
Other signs and symptoms of hepatitis A virus include vomiting, dark urine, diarrhea, clay-colored bowel movements and joint pain.

For more information about hepatitis A, visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services or the Centers for Disease Control.

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