Another Elementary Student Contracts Hepatitis A
March 28, 2006
Another Lexington elementary school student has been diagnosed with hepatitis A.
The student attends Yates Elementary, but health officials say they don't think this case has any relationship to three cases of the disease at another Lexington school.
Two kindergarten students and a second grade student at Mary Todd Elementary school tested positive for hepatitis A last week. Health officials say the Mary Todd cases originated from an out of state source.
It is not yet known where the latest student contracted the disease.
Health officials and Urgent Treatment Clinic Doctors say the outbreak should be taken seriously but it's not a huge concern.
"The good thing about Hepatitis "A" is it's a one time disease. In other words once you get it you can't get it again," said Dr. Fadi Bacha. "Children immune systems seem to handle the viral illness better than adults," said Dr. Bacha.
Doctors say proper hand washing is the best way to avoid catching this disease.
Health officials will be on hand today to give Hepatitis vaccinations. We'll have the latest developments on 27 NEWSFIRST at five.
