Hepatitis A awareness and prevention – Heed FLDOH and CDC directives

Washington, D.C. – With the increasing cases of Hepatitis A in the State of Florida, State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkess recently declared a Public Health Emergency for the state. While Lee and Collier County currently have less than 80 cases of Hepatitis A in total, residents of Southwest Florida are encouraged to follow the directives from the Florida Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control. They are also advised to vaccinate against the virus and follow simple preventative measures like washing their hands regularly.

Congressman Rooney said: “I appreciate the Surgeon General’s leadership in combating the current Hepatitis A outbreak. It is immensely important to heed the messages from the Florida Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control. It’s encouraging to see the Surgeon General and CDC Director Redfield are coordinating their efforts to alert the public and help prevent this outbreak from further affecting Floridians and citizens across the country.

Background, via the Florida Department of Health:

To view the number of cases of Hepatitis A county by county in Florida, please visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/vaccine-preventable-disease/hepatitis-a/surveillance-data/index.htm
Since 2018, there have been more than 22,000 cases of hepatitis A in the U.S. and more than 2,500 case in Florida. On Nov. 28, 2018, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) issued a hepatitis A health advisory emphasizing awareness and prevention through vaccination.
After someone uses the bathroom—use soap and warm, running water and wash for at least 20 seconds.
Hepatitis A vaccination is the best protection against the virus. Most vaccinations come in two doses given six months apart.