Nova Scotia health officials confirm three more hepatitis A cases
Aug 9, 2006
Canadian Press
LOWER SACKVILLE, N.S. (CP) - Three more people have been diagnosed with hepatitis A - a temporary, flu-like illness - following an outbreak in a community outside Halifax.
That brings to 10 the number of confirmed cases of the virus in Lower Sackville, N.S.
In mid-July, dozens of people began experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Public health officials said last month they had traced the infection back to a community barbecue in mid-June.
But Geoff Wilson, a spokesman for the Capital Health District, said Tuesday other potential sources are being considered as well.
He said they're attempting to trace the whereabouts of each infected person.
Dr. Shelly Sarwal, medical officer of health, said last month that the first case was spotted in early June.
More than 75 people who have had close contact with that person and others who have fallen ill have been vaccinated against the liver disease.
It takes about 30 days for an exposed person to become sick and that person can pass on the virus about two weeks before, and one week after, becoming ill.
Hepatitis A is passed in the stool and can be transmitted through hand contact when people don't properly wash after using the bathroom or changing a diaper and before preparing food.
There is no treatment for hepatitis A. Its flu-like symptoms include diarrhea and loss of appetite, dark urine and light-coloured stool. Infected people typically develop jaundice with yellowy eyes and skin.
The virus usually passes in a few weeks. Unlike hep B and C, transmitted through blood and body fluids, it does not lead to lifelong infection.
