WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The Indiana State Department of Health is working with the Wayne County Health Department to inform people who may have eaten food prepared at Casey’s General Store in Centerville about a possible exposure to Hepatitis A.
The warning about possible exposure comes after the state’s first victim of Hepatitis A, died last week. Indiana is one of 10 states currently experiencing a dramatic increase in the rates of exposure and transmission of the disease.
An employee at the Centerville store, tested positive for Hepatitis A. Anyone who consumed food prepared onsite at that Casey’s location last week is recommended to receive a hepatitis A vaccination by the end of the month.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by ingesting fecal matter. Southern Indiana, in particular, has experienced increases in reported cases of the disease. Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Hendricks, Lawrence, Scott, and Washington counties have all reported increases in Hepatitis A cases.
Indiana law has required a Hepatitis A vaccine for school admission since 2014, so most students preparing to enter fourth grade and younger have already been vaccinated. The Indiana State Department of Health is encouraging residents to check their vaccinations or get vaccinated at their county health department.
