Madison, IN Sunny intervals 77°
Listen Live

Kentucky Hepatitis A Outbreak Is Now Worst in the Nation

Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 6:57 AM

By Kentucky Health Department

Close to 1,000 have contracted the virus

Almost 1,000 people have contracted hepatitis A in Kentucky, making the state’s outbreak the worst in the nation.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that 969 people have contracted the liver disease, which has has killed six in the state so far. “It’s the worst on record across the nation and in Kentucky,” said Dr. Jeff Howard, Kentucky commissioner of public health.

The outbreak was first detected in Louisville last fall, where 482 people are now infected.

Officials say over half of the state’s cases have been linked to drug use, and the outbreak could be linked to other states’ current hepatitis A outbreaks.

The virus can be spread through touching food, drink, or surfaces “contaminated by feces or stool from an infected person.”

More from Local News

Events

Local News

Local Governments Made Whole for Gas Tax Revenue Missed

This makes up for gasoline use tax and gasoline excise tax revenue foregone from April 8 - May 31

Indiana Makes Major Investment to Help More Aspiring Teachers Pay for College

More than 300 scholarships have been awarded to the 10th class of Next Generation Hoosier Educators.

Kentucky's Attorney General Secures Settlement in Genetic Data Breach Case

Kentuckians who had their personal information compromised will be compensated