State health officials say Michigan’s Hepatitis A outbreak has become the deadliest in the country.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the state has seen 837 cases and 27 deaths from its Hepatitis A outbreak. The outbreak began in August 2016.
The outbreak was initially confined to Southeast Michigan, but cases have since been reported in 33 counties.
Lynn Sutfin (suht-fin) is a Spokesperson with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She said the virus is particularly prevalent among certain populations.
“The high-risk populations are injection and non-injection drug users, those who are homeless or in transient living conditions, men who have sex with men and the incarcerated population.”
Symptoms can include fatigue, yellowing of the skin and eyes, sudden nausea and vomiting, and intense itching. The illness spreads through oral contact with faecal matter.