CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More than 60 cases of hepatitis A in Kanawha and Putnam counties are being investigated, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department announced Thursday.
This includes two cases at Dupont Middle School, which may be linked. The health department and Kanawha County Board of Education are working together to inform parents about necessary precautions.
The local outbreak is related to the national spread of the disease. People can get hepatitis A from close personal contact with someone with the illness, primarily food and fecal matter. Symptoms include an inflamed liver, yellowing of the skin or eyes, right upper side abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Children are routinely vaccinated for hepatitis A, while some adults may be vulnerable to the disease.
The health department announced earlier this week it has provided 150 vaccines since announcing the multi-state outbreak.