News
West Virginia Firms Proactive During Hepatitis A Outbreak
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) – A West Virginia newspaper says many of the state’s business owners are dealing with the region’s hepatitis A outbreak proactively.
The Herald-Dispatch reports several companies have ordered their employees to get vaccinated against the virus, with some covering the cost of the vaccine. Some counties, including Kanawha and Putnam, have strongly recommended that all food service business owners have employees inoculated. Cabell-Huntington Health Department officials say employers are able to require the vaccination.
The state Department of Health and Human Resources says there has been an increase in the number of confirmed hepatitis A cases since March. It says there have been 121 cases so far this year as of May 24. It says the increase has been primarily among certain populations including drug users and the recently incarcerated.