Person who spent time in Puyallup, Fife and Seattle has been diagnosed with hepatitis A
An adult who has recently spent time in Puyallup, Fife and Seattle was diagnosed with hepatits A in December, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department learned Friday.
The Health Department was informed that the adult was diagnosed on Dec. 17.
“The case meets the statewide outbreak definition including risk factors of homelessness and drug use,” the Health Department said in a release.
A statewide hepatitis A outbreak was declared on July 30.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include: fatigue, fever, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, no appetite, dark urine, pale feces, diarrhea and jaundice (yellow skin and eyes.)
People who are living homeless or using drugs or alcohol may have pre-existing liver disease, the Health Department said. People with liver disease have an increased risk for severe illness and death if they contract hepatitis A.
As of Friday, there have been 154 cases of hepatitis A in Washington that have resulted in 86 hospitalizations and three deaths.
A vaccine for hepatitis A exists.
Hepatitis A is usually spread through fecal matter. That makes proper hand washing a key prevention tool. The virus also spreads through:
▪ Shared food.
▪ Contaminated objects.
▪ Sex with someone who has hepatitis A.
▪ Shared drug items.
This story was originally published January 4, 2020 at 7:00 AM.
