(Feb. 23, 2024) – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued an alert via the Kansas Health Alert Network this week on an increased concentration of hepatitis A virus detected at the Lawrence Kansas River Wastewater Treatment Facility indicating possible transmission within the Lawrence community.
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable illness. Early identification of cases, post-exposure prophylaxis and vaccination of at-risk populations are key to preventing and controlling the spread of hepatitis A. Increasing hepatitis A vaccination coverage in Douglas County is necessary to minimize transmission. Vaccination of persons experiencing homelessness and persons who use drugs is recommended in health care settings such as emergency departments, federally qualified health care centers and any acute care settings.
Vaccination of persons at risk for HAV infection or at risk for severe disease from HAV infection is recommended. Additionally, there is an active HAV outbreak in Shawnee County among people experiencing homelessness and/or persons who use drugs (injection or noninjection). For more information on that outbreak, visit the KDHE Hepatitis A Outbreak page.
--Karen Braman