The state has put resources toward fighting a hepatitis A outbreak. Michigan Public Radio’s Cheyna Roth reports the Lieutenant Governor has activated emergency centers.
The outbreak has been mainly in southeast Michigan. But health officials say cases are popping up in other areas like Ingham County.
The centers will work with local health officials to help them prevent and investigate cases of hepatitis A.
Angela Minicuci is with the Department of Health and Human Services. She says one plan of attack is vaccinations.
“If we can get the high risk populations, those that are most likely to come in contact with hepatitis A strain associated with this outbreak, if we can get them vaccinated we have a good chance of slowing the number of cases and preventing it from spreading.” She says.
Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley says the problem isn’t limited to Michigan.
“We are seeing increases around the country as well. So this kind of approach, being aggressive, makes a lot of sense.” Says Calley.
So far, there have been more than 450 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in the state since August of 20-16. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms include fever, nausea, and abdominal pain.