State Sees Dramatic Increase In Hepatitis A
POSTED: 11:58 am EDT July 5, 2005
CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire health officials said Tuesday that the state has seen a dramatic increase in cases of hepatitis A -- a virus that causes liver disease.
The Department of Health and Human Services said that in a typical year, New Hampshire sees between 15 and 20 cases. So far this year, there have been 48 confirmed cases.
At a press conference on Thursday, Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen is expected to discuss measures the state has taken to deal with the increase and what people can do to avoid the illness.
In May, state officials said drug abuse was helping fuel the increase and urged that drug users be vaccinated.
