OMAHA (Neb) – The Douglas County Health Department is investigating a “possible epidemic” of hepatitis A.
The illness has worsened over the past 3 weeks. The ages of these individuals range from 14 to 73. The health division typically finds between 0 and 4 cases per year.
Three people were admitted to the hospital. Two of them were discharged from the hospital.
It is not known what caused the illness.
“We don’t have a regular place, and we don’t have a frequent spot these people visited,” said Dr. Adi Pour (manager of the Douglas County Health Department).
Pour started to show symptoms around mid-September and said that the department considered the victims had been subjected in September.
The cases are being investigated by the Nebraska Department of Human and Health Services and Three Rivers Public Health Department and Douglas County Health Department.
To determine if the cases are related, health researchers have sent evaluations to Prevention and Disease Control. They don’t expect to receive results for more than a few weeks.
Officials from the health sector said that needles and travel weren’t to blame.
The County Health Department requested that other patients with signs be reported. Pour said she doesn’t think people should be concerned.
Pour stated, “Any additional instances could actually help us determine exactly the vulnerability was.”
Pour said that the section and other nations are discussing whether the Omaha instances might be part of something bigger.
“Are any other outbreaks occurring at exactly the same time?” Pour explained.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hepatitis A can be described as. It is caused by a virus and can lead to serious illnesses that can last for many months.
According to the Douglas County Health Department, symptoms of this illness include nausea, vomiting, fever and loss of appetite.
These symptoms include severe stomach pains and nausea, which can be fatal for children, according to the health department.
According to the CDC, the disease spreads when a person ingests the virus from contaminated foods or beverages.
Click here to learn more about Hepatitis A, and how it spreads.
If symptoms persist, you should consult your healthcare provider immediately.