April 15, 2005
By CATHARYN CAMPBELL
6 News Reporter
CAMPBELL COUNTY (WATE) — Health officials say Friday the number of confirmed cases of hepatitis A are growing and the virus is now in three counties.
There are 12 confirmed cases in the region. Ten are in Campbell County, where the investigation centers. There’s one confirmed case in Scott County and one confirmed case in Anderson County.
In Scott and Anderson Counties, the infected people either know a person who’s infected in Campbell County or they’ve eaten at a restaurant that’s being investigated.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea. People with the virus usually experience extreme fatigue, to the point where they don’t want to get out of bed, along with a high fever. Doctors say jaundice is the most notable sign of the virus.

Health officials are keeping records of the food the infected people have eaten over the past month. They’re still working to find out the source of the virus.
Currently, two restaurants in Campbell County are the focus of the investigation.
The names of the restaurants still aren’t being released. Health workers are testing six employees who work at the restaurants for the virus. So far, two have tested negative.
“There’s no single, common exposure for all cases,” says Dr. Paul Erwin, director of the Regional Health Department. “There’s also the possibility we’re actually dealing with multiple clusters that are occurring at the same time but they are all actually independent and separate.”
Health officials are monitoring two other people in Campbell County who have suspected cases.