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Hepatitis A spreading in N.H.

Virus has caused at least one death in the state

By Casey Junkins - City Editor | Apr 17, 2019

NASHUA – Severe digestive system problems, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and joint pain are just some of the symptoms the 79 New Hampshire residents diagnosed with hepatitis A since November are experiencing.

These 79 hepatitis A cases compare to an annual New Hampshire average of only seven in recent years. This means there have been about 11 times more incidents in the last few months than there generally are for an entire year.

In fact, New Hampshire saw 33 new cases in March alone.

Moreover, throughout the nation, 18 states have declared an outbreak of hepatitis A.

“Hepatitis A is spread by unknowingly getting the virus in your mouth after touching or eating items that are contaminated with small amounts of stool from an infected person,” New Hampshire Bureau of Infectious Disease Control Chief Beth Daly said. “Hepatitis A can also spread from close personal contact with an infected person or caring for someone who is ill.”

Since November, officials have identified the virus in 36 people in Hillsborough County.

“So far, in Nashua we have had two cases — thankfully, just two,” Nashua Chief Public Health Nurse Kim Bernard said.

However, at least one person who contracted hepatitis A in New Hampshire since November died, with this taking place in Merrimack County.

Beyond the numbers in Hillsborough County, the New Hampshire cases by county since November are: 17 in Strafford, 10 in Rockingham, 10 in Merrimack, two in Cheshire, two in Grafton, one in Sullivan and one in Carroll.

According to Daly’s bureau, anyone can get hepatitis A. However, those with an increased risk include people who:

• have direct contact with an infected person,

• use injection or non-injection recreational drugs,

• are homeless or face an unstable housing situation, or

• are gay or bisexual men.

“Hepatitis A is preventable with a safe and effective vaccine, which is vital to stopping this outbreak. People at high risk for infection should talk with their health care provider about getting vaccinated,” Daly added.

In Nashua, vaccinations are available at the Division of Public Health, 18 Mulberry St. The times are 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, 3-6 p.m. Thursday and 8:30-10:30 a.m. Friday. Call 603-589-4500 for more information.

Bernard said since September, her department has vaccinated 302 people for hepatitis A.

“We are continuing our efforts to vaccinate the at-risk population, but we want to protect the health of all our community members,” Bernard said. “We’ll vaccinate anyone that would like to get vaccinated.”

Additionally, she said officials are trying to decrease any stigma surrounding the at-risk population. Currently, the division is reaching out to food service workers in an effort to conduct a hepatitis A clinic for them to receive vaccinations.

In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, hepatitis A can cause fever, severe fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine and clay-colored feces.

Staff writer Adam Urquhart contributed to this report.

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