Employees of the Florida Department of Health briefed the
Desoto County Board of Commissioners on the current hepatitis A outbreak in the
state, emphasizing the best preventative measure is vaccination.
According to public documents reviewed by County Examiner, during
the May 14, 2019 BOC meeting Penny Pringle, Assistant County Health Department
Director and Patrick Hickey, Epidemiologist with the Florida Department of
Health gave a short presentation on the nature of the disease and how the
illness progresses.
The Florida Department of Health continues to publish the
number and percentage of reported hepatitis A
cases on their website.
“From January 1, 2018 through June 15, 2019, 2109
hepatitis A cases were reported.”
The number of reported hepatitis A cases more than
doubled from 2016 to 2017 and nearly doubled again in 2018 after remaining
relatively stable in previous years. Case counts in 2019 have already surpassed
those in 2018.”
A map published on the Florida Department of Health website
reveals Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando Counties have the highest cumulative rate
per 100,000 population, followed by numerous counties across the Central
Florida region.
The
Hepatitis A Surveillance report dated May 2019 disclosed in that month the
incidence rate was highest among adults aged 30-39 years old at 4.9 cases per
100,000 population. Since January 1, 2018, cases were reported primarily among
men (66%) and persons who identify as non-Hispanic white (92%).
Nationwide
“Hepatitis A rates have decreased by more than 95% since
the first vaccine became available in 1995. However, since March of 2017, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been monitoring outbreaks in 15
states among persons who use drugs and persons who are experiencing
homelessness. Kentucky and West Virginia have been the most heavily impacted,
and response efforts are ongoing.”
Florida response
“Several Florida counties have experienced ongoing local
transmission of hepatitis A since 2017. Since January 1, 2018, 98% of Florida’s
cases (n=1,876) have likely been acquired in Florida. Cases likely acquired in
Florida share several common risk factors including drug use (both injection
and non-injection drugs), identifying as men who have sex with men, and
recently experiencing homelessness. Individuals with any of these risk factors
should receive the hepatitis A vaccine, and health care providers are
encouraged to actively offer the hepatitis A vaccine to individuals at risk.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A infection.”
