How about Hepatits A Outbreak in Spokane
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Health Notification Information for 10/23/19
Washington state is experiencing a hepatitis A outbreak in multiple
counties (King, Pend Oreille, Snohomish and Spokane) in people who are
living homeless or who use drugs. Information about the outbreak and
educational resources on hepatitis A prevention can be found on the Department of Health website at
www.doh.wa.gov/hepatitisA2019.
Hepatitis A virus spreads easily when a person puts something (food, water,
hands, or an object) into his or her mouth that has infected stool (feces)
on or in it. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination
with the hepatitis A vaccine. Vaccination is recommended for all children
starting at one year of age, for travelers to certain countries, and for
people at high risk of getting infected.
Check your child's immunization records online through
Wa.MyIR.net
. If your child has not received the hepatitis A
vaccine, contact your healthcare provider to get your child up to date. If
you don't have a healthcare provider, call your local health department
<
https://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/PublicHealthSystem/LocalHealthJurisdictions>
or
The Family Health Hotline
<
http://www.parenthelp123.org/family-health-hotline> at 1-800-322-2588.
Free vaccine is available to all children through age 18 from the
Washington State Childhood Vaccine Program.
Practicing good hand hygiene plays an important role in preventing the
spread of hepatitis A. Everyone should thoroughly wash their hands after
using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food.
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