DHEC confirms Hepatitis A “outbreak” across South Carolina

Columbia, SC (WOLO) —- The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is alerting members of the public about the rise in the cases of Hepatitis A throughout the state have reached what health officials are calling “outbreak level”.

According to officials, Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that is transmitted by person-to-person contact with someone who is already infected with the virus.  The disease is passed through eating or drinking food or water contaminated by an infected person.

DHEC is asking members of the public who haven’t done so already, to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A, which is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of this infection. The Hepatitis A vaccination is covered by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) for Medicaid beneficiaries and children covered by Medicaid are eligible to receive vaccination as well through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

If you would like more information about the eligibility for either program you can go to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control website by clicking  on the link provided below.

http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/Vaccinations/

If you are not a medicaid recipient, SCDHEC is also offering free Hepatitis A vaccinations to those who are at high risk for infection. You can schedule an appointment to get a vaccination by going to SCDHEC’s website, www.scdhec.gov/health/health-public-health-clinics or by calling (855) 472-3432.

More information about this outbreak is available on SCDHEC’s website at :  www.scdhec.gov.