An individual at the Castle Park Head Start, 1375 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, has been diagnosed with the Hepatitis A virus according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA).
Some staff and children who attended the Head Start program and ate breakfast at the facility between Jan. 7 and Jan. 14 are being notified that they are at a potential risk of exposure to Hepatitis A.
The early signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A appear two to seven weeks after exposure and commonly include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine, light color stools, pain in the upper right abdomen, and yellowness to the eyes or skin (jaundice).
Hepatitis A varies in severity, with mild cases lasting two weeks or less and more severe cases lasting four to six weeks or longer. Some individuals, especially children, may not develop jaundice or any symptom at all. However, even mildly ill people can still be highly infectious and should consult a physician.
“The risk to the public is low, but anyone who was at the Head Start who was notified about the exposure should be aware of the signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “Anyone who has been immunized with Hepatitis A vaccine or previously had the disease is considered protected from the virus, but we encourage anyone who has not had the vaccine and who may have been exposed to contact their health care provider to discuss options for prevention.”
Hepatitis A vaccine is the preferred preventive treatment for healthy persons from 12 months to 40 years old, and may be considered in older patients because it provides long term protection. Hepatitis immune globulin may be used for those under 12 months, those over 40 and those who are immune compromised or have chronic liver disease.
Vaccinations will be offered to unimmunized individuals who were potentially exposed from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Castle Park Head Start facility. Hepatitis A is a routine immunization recommended for children at 1 year of age. Individuals can obtain Hepatitis A immunizations through their primary care physicians. Children without health insurance can obtain the vaccine at County Public Health Centers. For a list of locations, visit www.sdiz.org or call 2-1-1.
Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter – even microscopic amounts – from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by an infected person. People are at increased risk of getting Hepatitis A when they have been in close and continuous contact with an infected individual, particularly in a household. Careful hand washing is the key to preventing the spread of Hepatitis A.
For more information about Hepatitis A call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966, or search for “Hepatitis A” on http://www.cdc.gov.
