You may have been exposed to someone who has hepatitis A (hep A), a serious illness that is easily transmitted. There is currently a hep A outbreak in Spokane County. This outbreak is affecting people living homeless in the Spokane community.
Hep A is a vaccine-preventable disease, although many people are not vaccinated for hep A. You are encouraged to get vaccinated. Vaccination can also help prevent illness after exposure if given soon after the exposure. Free vaccine is available at many different locations in Spokane or at your doctor’s office. If you think you may have been vaccinated, you can check your vaccine record at your doctor’s office or at https://wa.myir.net/.
For more information, please contact Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) staff at 509.324.1442.
There are many ways that you may have been exposed, such as sharing food, drinks, cigarettes, or drugs with a person who has hep A. It can also be spread from close, personal contact with an infected person—this includes having sex with the person, caring for an infected person or having them stay in your home.
SRHD confirmed 22 cases of hep A in Spokane County since April 2019 with majority cases hospitalized.
Hep A virus causes inflammation of the liver resulting in illness ranging from a mild infection with no symptoms to a more severe illness that can result in liver failure and death.
Additional information can be found here: Hepatitis A Fact Sheet
