The state is investigating 12 confirmed cases of hepatitis A, all on Oahu, officials announced Friday while urging adults to get vaccinated against the virus.
Children have been immunized against the hepatitis A virus since 2006, but many adults have not, state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said.
The cases, all involving adults, started June 16, with the latest on Monday, Park said. Six of the 12 have been hospitalized.
Officials also received a few reports of unconfirmed cases Friday.
Park said unless an adult has traveled internationally or been treated for an illness such as cirrhosis of the liver, chances are they haven’t been immunized against hepatitis A.
Park said the onset of the virus becomes apparent anywhere from 15 to 50 days after exposure — a time span that makes identifying the source difficult.
She said with the long incubation period for the virus, the source might be gone.
“It’s also possible … it could still be out there,” Park said. “It’s very early in the investigation.”
She said the 12 cases were scattered across Oahu, Park said.
She criticized news reports that said the source of the contamination might be the fish dish poke.
She said saying the source might be poke could predispose victims to lean in that direction during health interviews.
“It could derail the investigation. It could be totally a red herring,” she said.
Health experts say hepatitis A is transmitted orally by eating contaminated food or drinking water and can also be spread through close personal or sexual contact.
The virus reproduces in the stomach, and symptoms include stomach pains, cramping, mild fever, yellow eyes, dark urine and a lack of appetite. People should seek medical help immediately if they show the symptoms, officials said. “As you get older, you’re likely to have severe symptoms,” she said.
She said people with underlying liver problems such as cirrhosis could suffer severe infections.
Symptoms typically last several weeks to as long as two months.
“We are encouraging everyone to review their immunization record and talk to their health care provider about vaccination,” Park said.
Hepatitis A vaccine is available at local pharmacies.
Two doses of hepatitis A vaccine given six months apart are needed for lasting protection, officials said.
For a list of vaccinating pharmacies, visit 808ne.ws/29l6l7D or call the Aloha United Way information and referral line at 211.
Officials said while vaccination provides the best protection, frequent hand washing with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper or before preparing food can help prevent the spread of hepatitis A.
