The Hepatitis A outbreak in Michigan has found its way to northern Michigan and public health officials are urging anyone who’s considered high risk to get vaccinated.
Public health officials in Grand Traverse County said there are currently five documented cases of Hep A in northern lower Michigan.
RoseAnn Davis is a spokesperson for the Grand Traverse County Health Department. She said the department plans to do outreach targeting people who are most likely to encounter the virus.
“Which would include like homeless folks, people who use injection and non-injection drugs, people who have close contact with or care for anybody who has the hepatitis A virus, people who have sex with somebody that has the hepatitis virus, men who have sex with men, and people who have already occurring liver conditions”.
Davis said the department is scheduling additional vaccination clinics and providing walk-in appointments for the Hepatitis A vaccine.
She said the Hepatitis A vaccine is 99 percent effective after receiving both doses and provides lifetime immunity.
On the web:
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services:
http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71550_2955_2976_82305_82310-447907--,00.html