The Lake County Health Department is informing the public that there has been a recent increase in reported cases of hepatitis A virus throughout the State of Illinois and in Lake County. Since January 2018, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed 110 cases of hepatitis A and has identified 35 cases to be part of a statewide outbreak.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable liver infection. It is spread from person-to-person through ingestion of food, water, or oral contact with objects contaminated by feces of an infected individual. At-risk individuals include people who use injection and non-injection drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and men who have sex with men.

Providers are encouraged to remain vigilant while treating patients that have signs and symptoms consistent with Hepatitis A, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

Learn more about hepatitis A on the IDPH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites.