The Ohio Department of Health has declared a statewide community outbreak of hepatitis A. Clermont County is also seeing an increase in cases of hepatitis A. In addition to Ohio, outbreaks are occurring in Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Michigan.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease that can be prevented with a vaccine. Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person puts something in their mouth that is contaminated with the virus. If you eat food that is contaminated with microscopic amounts of fecal matter, from someone who has the virus, you can get sick.

People at higher risk for getting sick from Hepatitis A during this outbreak include:

• People who have direct contact with someone infected with the virus
• Men who have sex with men
• People who use street drugs whether they are injected or not
• People who are incarcerated
• People experiencing homelessness
• People who have traveled to areas outside of the U.S. currently experiencing outbreaks

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

• Fatigue
• Low appetite
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Clay-colored stools
• Jaundice (yellowish color to the skin and eyes)

What can you do?

1) Get vaccinated

If you think you are at high risk for hepatitis A infection, you can get a vaccine. Call your healthcare provider or your local health department. You can call Clermont County Public Health at 513-735-8400 to schedule an appointment for your vaccine.

2) Wash your hands
Washing your hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food can help stop the spread of hepatitis A.

Additional resources

Hepatitis A vaccination information

Hepatitis A disinfection guidelines

For more information on hepatitis A, click here (CDC)

For more information on the outbreak in Ohio, click here (ODH).

Stop the spread of hepatitis A poster
(8.5″x11″)    (8.5″x14″)  (11″x17″)

Hepatitis A information for first responders

Hepatitis A infographic