FLORENCE, Ky. — Northern Kentucky Health officials announced an end to the region’s hepatitis A outbreak on Monday.
The outbreak, which began in August 2018, consisted of 319 documented cases and four deaths. There were zero cases of hep A in 2017.
No one has reported a new case of the viral liver infection over the last four months, according to officials. Hep A spreads when a person ingests the virus from objects, food or drinks that are contaminated by undetected amounts of stool from an infected person.
Northern Kentucky health officials vaccinated more than 4,600 people during the outbreak.
People should still get vaccinated to protect themselves against the infection, according to NKY Health’s District Director of Health Lynne Saddler.
“Not only will it protect you for the future, but it can also help prevent the future spread of hepatitis A in the community,” Saddler said.
A hep A vaccine is now required to attend school in Kentucky, but adults should be vaccinated as well. Two doses at least six months apart can provide life-long protection.
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