Personal Injury Law

A Look At Two States Handling Hepatitis A Threats

By Marler Clark LLP

We spend a lot of time observing how various state, regional and local health districts handle the challenge of an outbreak, or the potential for one.  

We see the Idaho Central Health District has pretty well put away the threat that one restaurant worker caused at Boise's Red Feather Lounge by working with Hepatitis A.  Here's what that Idaho agency told the public:

It has now been two weeks since the Red Feather Lounge employee with hepatitis A last worked at the establishment. Anyone potentially exposed to the disease between March 5th and 17th will no longer be eligible for a vaccination because it would not be effective. From March 25th through March 31st Central District Health Department (CDHD) provided hepatitis A vaccinations to 283 people. Everyone potentially exposed should continue to wash their hands thoroughly, since receiving hepatitis A vaccine after a potential exposure is not 100% effective prevention. CDHD reminds those that have not been vaccinated or have not been previously infected to watch for signs of hepatitis A infection. CDHD still maintains that the chance of infection is low, but patrons should be aware of the following information.

It goes on to provide excellent write-ups on symptoms, incubation, treatment, and statistics.  Go here for all of that.

As that ends in Idaho,  the Lafayette, Louisiana Parish Schools is confronting the same problem as one of its employees continued working after contracting Hepatitis A.   KLFY-TV 10 is reporting that vaccinations will be available on Wednesday April 9th at these three sites: Acadian Middle, NP Moss at Good Hope Baptist and NP Moss Annex.  The vaccines are free of charge for all students and faculty attending those schools

KLFY-TV 10 reports:

Hepatitis A is serious contagious liver disease. Now hundreds of students in Lafayette are exposed to it.

We will see how Louisiana handles it.  At this point, we haven't seen any involvement by either the state or the Region 4 Health District.   Maybe they just leave it to the Parish Schools.

Full post as published by Hepatitis Blog on April 04, 2008 (boomark / email).