(KTVE)- The Louisiana Office of Public Health (OPH) have reported the first death related to the Hepititis A outbreak in the state.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus can be prevented with vaccines.
Hep A primarily spreads through close contact. Other ways the virus can be contracted is:
Hep A primarily spreads through close contact. Other ways the virus can be contracted is:
- People reporting drug use (injection and non-injection),
- People experiencing homelessness,
- Men who have sex with men,
- Incarcerated or recently incarcerated individuals, and
- People who have been in close contact of someone infected with Hepatitis A
According to the state’s department of health, while Hep A infections usually resolve without treatment, illnesses and deaths in the current national outbreaks have been higher than usual due to older age and underlying health conditions, especially chronic liver disease, of people affected.
Ouachita and Morehouse Parish have some of the highest number of Hep A outbreak cases in the state.
