COLUMBUS – Amid a year-long hepatitis A outbreak that has sickened nearly 3,000 people statewide, the Ohio Department of Health has committed $650,000 for local health departments to combat the disease.
Ohio has recorded 2,298 cases in 76 of its 88 counties since June 2018, director Dr. Amy Acton said. That includes 369 cases reported in Franklin County, the largest number of any county in the state.
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver disease that usually spreads when a person ingests even microscopic amounts of fecal matter from contaminated objects, food or drinks. Hepatitis A can also be spread from close personal contact with an infected person, such as through sex.
People at high risk for hepatitis A in this outbreak include people who use drugs, are currently or were recently incarcerated, are experiencing unstable housing or homelessness. Those at risk also include men who have sex with men and people with chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C, Acton said.
Outbreaks are also occurring in several states in the U.S., including the neighboring states of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and West Virginia.
Local health departments have until June 4 to send in their funding applications.