Hepatitis A
The Hepatitis A outbreak in Arizona ended on December 31, 2019.
Maricopa County Quick Glance: As of January 22, 2020
| Confirmed cases | 324 |
| Cases pending investigation | 4 |
| Cases in last week | 0 |
| Cases with risk factors | 275 (85%) |
| Cases with no known risk factors | 49 (15%) |
| Hospitalizations | 270 (83%) |
| Deaths | 4 (1%) |
| Vaccines administered | 21,853 |
Hepatitis A is a serious and contagious liver disease caused by a virus. It is spread by not washing hands after using the bathroom and getting the germs into your mouth. The disease can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is not a lifelong infection like other types of hepatitis can be. Once you get it, you cannot get it again.
The following groups are most at-risk:
- People who use or inject illegal drugs or drugs without a prescription
- People who are or recently were experiencing unstable housing or homelessness
- People who are or recently were in jail or prison
Symptoms of hepatitis A infections usually appear 2 to 6 weeks after contact with the virus and may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Dark urine
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Light or grey colored stools
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
An infected person is most contagious about two weeks before symptoms appear until about one week after jaundice appears. People with this infection cannot work as food handlers, healthcare providers, or childcare workers until symptoms have stopped.
If you have symptoms, see a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
People who are in the most high risk groups should be vaccinated.
The following groups are most at-risk:
- People who use or inject illegal drugs or drugs without a prescription
- People who are or recently were experiencing unstable housing or homelessness
- People who are or recently were in jail or prison
Individuals with Occupational Risk of Exposure
Some people who have occupational risk of exposure and do not have access to hand washing facilities may benefit from the vaccine. See this PDF Opens a New Window. to determine if you or your staff are recommended to get vaccinated.*
*These recommendations are based on the specific circumstances of this Maricopa County hepatitis A outbreak and do not replace standard vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)