A Grayson County resident has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A.
Grayson County Health Department Director Mindy Renfrow confirmed the diagnosis late Wednesday afternoon. Renfrow said officials are working to determine how the person contracted the virus. Other details regarding the infected Grayson County resident will not be released due to privacy concerns.
Renfrow encourages all Grayson County residents to get the Hepatitis A vaccination, due to the ongoing outbreak of the virus in Kentucky. Officials in Kentucky say there have been 352 outbreak-associated cases through April 14, with 246 people hospitalized and three deaths.
Renfrow said people should talk to their primary care physician about getting the Hepatitis A vaccine. The Grayson County Health Department is also offering Hepatitis A vaccines to the public (the health department accepts private insurance, Medicaid and the under-insured).
Food handlers are strongly encouraged to receive the Hepatitis A vaccine, with all citizens urged by officials to thoroughly their hands, particularly after using the restroom and before and after eating.
Most of the population under the age of 18 have been vaccinated against the virus, according to Renfrow, and older people should check to see if they received the vaccine when they were younger. Renfrow said Leitchfield Pediatrics has been giving Hepatitis A vaccines since 2004.
For the last few weeks, health officials have recommended people in nearby Hardin, Bullitt, and Jefferson Counties, as well as Greenup, Carter and Boyd Counties receive vaccinations.
Signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A include jaundice, dark-colored urine, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and fever.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
