Hepatitis A Outbreak Spreads to Jefferson County
Jefferson County is fighting an outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV), officials with the Jefferson County Department of Health announced Tuesday. Three cases of the disease have been reported, which is the state threshold to be designated an outbreak county. Officials say the designation allows for “rapid mobilization of resources and planning at the state and local level to prevent a larger outbreak from occurring.”
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the number of HAV cases statewide continues to rise since the outbreak began in Jackson County in September 2018. The most recent data shows 132 cases, with the highest monthly total reported last month.
Alabama Department of Public Health
Statewide, 30 cases of HAV were reported in July 2019. That’s the highest number of monthly cases since the outbreak began in September 2018.
Alabama is one of 29 states experiencing a hepatitis A outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Other states, including Kentucky and Ohio, have reported thousands of HAV cases.
Centers for Disease Control
This map illustrates hepatitis A outbreak cases across the U.S. as of August 16, 2019.
According to the ADPH, the hepatitis A virus is spread “person-to-person through fecal-oral contact among unvaccinated persons.” Those most at risk include users of injection or non-injection drugs, people who are currently or formerly incarcerated, and those who engage in oral or anal sex.
HAV infection can cause inflammation of the liver that results in symptoms including fever, tiredness, and loss of appetite.
Alabama Department of Public Health
This graphic describes outbreak-associated HAV cases in Alabama.
Officials with the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) say they have been preparing for a potential HAV outbreak in recent weeks and are working with community partners to be proactive.
“The general public should not be overly alarmed unless you are in a high-risk group,” David Hicks, JCDH deputy health officer, said in an email. “We still strongly encourage hepatitis A vaccination and proper hand-washing with soap and water to significantly reduce the spread of this illness.”
Residents of Jefferson County can receive the HAV vaccine free of charge at the JCDH through the end of September.
Russia sends 3 Iranian satellites into orbit, report says
The report said that a Russian rocket sent the satellites on Sunday from a launchpad in eastern Russia.
Viral global TikToks: A twist on soccer, Tanzania’s Charlie Chaplin, hope in Gaza
TikToks are everywhere (well, except countries like Australia and India, where they've been banned.) We talk to the creators of some of the year's most popular reels from the Global South.
This painting is missing. Do you have it?
An important work from a rediscovered artist has been absent from public view since the 1970s. A New York curator is hunting for it.
Memory loss: As AI gobbles up chips, prices for devices may rise
Demand for memory chips currently exceeds supply and there's very little chance of that changing any time soon. More chips for AI means less available for other products such as computers and phones and that could drive up those prices too.
Brigitte Bardot, sex goddess of cinema, has died
Legendary screen siren and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has died at age 91. The alluring former model starred in numerous movies, often playing the highly sexualized love interest.
For Ukrainians, a nuclear missile museum is a bitter reminder of what the country gave up
The Museum of Strategic Missile Forces tells the story of how Ukraine dismantled its nuclear weapons arsenal after independence in 1991. Today many Ukrainians believe that decision to give up nukes was a mistake.
