With case counts continuing to rise, San Diego leaders made their largest show of solidarity Tuesday morning in the fight against hepatitis A, gathering to ask the public for help in getting control of the outbreak that does not appear to be going away any time soon. Even though efforts to contain the outbreak started in March, officials do not expect an immediate halt to unprecedented public health threat. “Frankly, this outbreak could last for at least another six months, and unfortunately there are going to be more lives that are going to be at risk,” Dr. Nick Yphantides, the county’s chief medical officer, said at a news conference in from of the County Administration Center. As they have every Tuesday for the last few months, officials gave an update on the outbreak’s toll which has had its strongest impact on San Diego’s homeless population. While the death count remains 16 as it was last week, there are two more deaths currently under investigation. For 15 of the 16 deaths confirmed so far, Yphantides said, each has been homeless and/or an illicit drug user. All have had underlying health conditions such as a concurrent hepatitis C infection. The total number of confirmed cases linked to the outbreak jumped to 444 from 421 last week, and there are another 44 suspected cases currently under investigation. The number of people hospitalized due to infections from the specific strains associated with the outbreak climbed to 305 this week from 292 last week. The steady increase in these numbers is causing growing anxiety in the region, pushing further into the mainstream late last week with a public warning to all patrons of a Pacific Beach restaurant after a person associated with the establishment was infected. There was also news Tuesday of a new outbreak declared by public health officials in Los Angeles County. Two infections that occurred locally, officials said, are in addition to eight previous cases linked to ongoing outbreaks in San Diego and Santa Cruz counties. Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the L.A. County Department of Public Health, note the outbreak is small by comparison. Nevertheless, she said the department is ramping up prevention efforts locally so more people don’t get sick. San Diego’s outbreak has already spread to Santa Cruz, where 69 people have been diagnosed. Another San Diego-linked case case surfaced in Imperial County over the weekend, according to health officials there. “Within our investigations we have learned that the individual did not contract the infection here in the valley, here in Imperial Valley. He is currently still being treated at one of our local facilities,” Karla Lopez, Epidemiologist with Imperial County Public Health Department, told television station KYMA. The person was described as middle aged homeless man living in downtown San Diego before arriving in Imperial County last week. The San Diego outbreak was first recognized by the county health department in March, and the response has come under criticism in recent weeks for being somewhat fragmented. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer took pains Tuesday to signal that the government response has crystallized around the three main themes of vaccination, sanitation and education. Hepatitis A: frequently asked questions “There are lives at stake. Every person affected has a family, has friends. This is personal. This is our community. We will protect it,” Faulconer said at the news conference, the largest show of unity among public officials in the hepatitis fight. The mayor and others urged the public to do its part primarily through attention to hygiene — frequent and thorough hand-washing — and getting vaccinated if warranted. In addition to the county’s regular Tuesday update on the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths associated with the outbreak, officials also said that 22,966 people have received the hepatitis A vaccine through a wide range of outreach events from inoculation clinics to foot teams working with the homeless in remote locations. Yphantides stressed that vaccination is recommended only for a “high-risk group” of people across the county. There is no reason why those who do not fall into that group need to run out and get a hepatitis A vaccination even if they work in downtown San Diego where the largest number of cases have occurred, he said. On the other hand, he added, those who fear exposure to the virus should not be shy. “If, however, there are individuals who have a felt need that they may have had exposure to the virus and want to have access to the vaccine, it is perfectly reasonable for you to make that request to your medical provider,” Yphantides said. The main high-risk group the medical director referred to includes: homeless people, intravenous and illicit drug users, gay men, anyone who has has sexual contact with a person who has a hepatitis A infection, people with chronic liver disease and anyone with a clotting factor disease. On Tuesday morning, the health department also defined a second job-based vaccination category. It includes: fire and emergency workers, law enforcement personnel, food handlers, health care personnel, homeless outreach and service workers, substance abuse treatment workers and public transportation workers. Anyone who wants to find a nearby vaccination clinic can call 2-1-1 for more information. The city is also conducting a free vaccination clinic in front of the San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 Kids can add years to your life paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1850 Twitter: @paulsisson
With case counts continuing to rise, San Diego leaders made their largest show of solidarity Tuesday morning in the fight against hepatitis A, gathering to ask the public for help in getting control of the outbreak that does not appear to be going away any time soon.