PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Three new cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed in Palm Beach County, according to health officials. That raises the total number to nine cases of hepatitis A reported this year in the county.
Three deaths tied to the hepatitis A outbreak were reported in Martin County. Both Martin and Palm Beach counties have been declared as high risk zones for the virus.
RELATED: What's the process to notify the public about Hepatitis A? | Concern growing among parents in Martin County
According to the the Florida Department of Health, from Jan. 1, 2018 through April 27, 2019 there have been 1,503 hepatitis A cases in the state.
Health officials are stressing the importance of hand washing and the hepatitis A vaccine.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease usually spread through objects, food, or drinks that are contaminated by fecal matter from a person with hepatitis A.
To protect yourself from the disease, health officials recommend you:
- Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms
- Contact a health care provider or doctor with questions or concerns, especially if you any underlying liver conditions
- Exercise good hygiene, and wash your hands after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food
- Get the hepatitis A vaccine
