Hepatitis A Outbreak Among Men/Men Sexual Partners
Michigan Department of Health issues advisory for protection; prevention
Public health officials throughout Southeast Michigan are concerned about a spike in the number of Hepatitis-A cases. The viral liver disease is spread person-to-person or through contaminated food or water. It is typically treatable and preventable through a vaccination.
But cases of Hep A among men who have sex with men in Southeast Michigan took a huge jump last month. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson, Angela Minicuci, says the number doubled
“Prior to October 1, we had 10 cases of Hepatitis A among the men who have sex with men population (that is) since August 1, 2016. However, since Oct 1, 2017 we’ve had an 11 additional cases. So that’s more than double what we had prior to that in the last year”
Minicuci says in addition to the dramatic increase in cases over a month-long period, nearly all of the additional cases have required hospitalization.
More information can be found on the MDHHS Website:
