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Member News
Update on the Mecklenburg County Hepatitis A Outbreak
By Meg Sullivan, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Mecklenburg County Public Health
Mecklenburg County currently is experiencing an outbreak of clinical services programs to offer the free vaccine to priority populations
hepatitis A. Healthcare providers can play a key role in containing and craft targeted messages about hepatitis A prevention. Since June
this outbreak by increasing public awareness and promoting 2018, we have hosted 10 “pop-up” clinics throughout the county to
vaccination among patients, particularly to those patients in reach those at highest risk. MCPH also has conducted two large-scale
identified priority populations. Do you have a patient who immunization clinics in response to possible
During 2018, 29 cases of hepatitis A wants a hepatitis A vaccine? exposure to the virus at local restaurants. In
were reported in Mecklenburg County, addition to our public health efforts, we are
which represents a significant increase partnering with several community clinics so
from previous years. Due to the rising Mecklenburg County Public Health offers FREE they may offer the hepatitis A vaccine to their
number of cases, on April 20, 2018, clients free of charge.
the Centers for Disease Control and hepatitis A vaccines to our priority populations. Mecklenburg County is just one of
Prevention (CDC) determined that Call our vaccination clinic for an appointment. several areas of the country experiencing
Mecklenburg County is experiencing an outbreak. To our east, Tennessee has
an outbreak. Of note, 85 percent of the 704-336-6500 reported 726 cases from the December
individuals were hospitalized at the 2017 to January 2019 and to our north,
time of diagnosis. None of these individuals reported having previously West Virginia has reported 2,275 in roughly the same time frame,
received a hepatitis A vaccine. according to the CDC. Overall, a total of 16 states are responding to
The specific priority populations at higher risk of contracting the outbreaks of hepatitis A.
hepatitis A virus during this outbreak include: In Mecklenburg County, we are at a critical moment; we must
• Men who have sexual encounters with other men work together to contain this current outbreak. Through proactive
• Persons who use drugs (both injection and non-injection) and targeted awareness, education and vaccination campaigns, we
• Persons experiencing homelessness can prevent further cases in our community. We urge you to promote
• Persons who have close contact, care for, or live with someone awareness and vaccination among your clients, especially those at
who has hepatitis A. the highest risk. For more information about Mecklenburg County’s
Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) is working diligently response and/or available resources, please call the hepatitis A
through immunization, communicable disease, population health and information line at 980-314-9400.
Don’t forget … Save the Date!
Meet&GreetWomen Physicians Section 14TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Tuesday, April 2 MELANOMA AWARENESS
6-8 p.m. (Drop In) AND RESEARCH
MONDAY, JUNE 10
BALLANTYNE COUNTRY CLUB
WINE AND CHEESE BOUTIQUE IN DILWORTH Martin Kreshon
Docdoc54@hotmail.com n 704-541-6191
2400 Park Road
Mecklenburg Medicine • April 2019 | 7
RSVP to ssmith@meckmed.org.
