The Hepatitis A outbreak that has struck Kentucky added over 700 victims in the last month, and Grayson County’s confirmed Hep A cases have more than doubled since September.
Since the outbreak began in November 2017, 2,769 victims around the state have been diagnosed with the highly contagious liver disease. Of those, 1,438 have been hospitalized, and 17 deaths are blamed on the disease. A record 87 cases were reported between September 23 and 29, and 83 cases were reported the following week, September 30 through October 6.
Grayson County’s first confirmed Hep A case was diagnosed in late April; since then, 28 other county residents have been identified as having the disease, according to Grayson County Health Department Director Mindy Renfrow. Twenty-seven of those cases are blamed on intravenous drug use. One was due to drinking contaminated ground water.
None of the Hep A victims in the county work in the food service industry.
Troubling numbers
Counties surrounding Grayson have reported considerably fewer cases of Hep A – Breckinridge Co. reports zero cases; Edmonson Co. one; Hart Co. two; Butler Co. three; and Ohio Co. six.
Bordering Hardin County, with about 108,000 residents, has reported 33 cases, and nearby Warren County, with nearly 130,000 residents, reports 29 confirmed cases, the same as Grayson County, which is home to about 27,000 people. Daviess County, with about 100,000 residents, has reported only four confirmed cases of Hep A.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice. People become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
The best practices to avoid contracting Hepatitis A is to be vaccinated and exercise proper hand washing practices.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
