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CDC to Provide Support to West Virginia in Hep A Outbreak
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia health officials will receive technical support from the Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention in response to a hepatitis A outbreak.
State health officer Dr. Rahul Gupta says in a news release the CDC will provide epidemiology assistance with case investigation strategies and procedures, and data management and quality.
The statement says West Virginia had 975 cases of hepatitis A in 27 counties as of Aug. 17. The CDC will focus its efforts in Kanawha and Putnam counties, where most of the cases have occurred.
The state Bureau for Public Health has provided 18,270 doses of hepatitis A vaccine for prevention efforts.
The CDC says hepatitis A is a communicable disease of the liver caused by a virus. It is usually transmitted person-to-person or by consuming contaminated food or water.