Fri, Apr. 14, 2006
By Raviya H. Ismail
HERALD-LEADER EDUCATION WRITER
Health department officials said yesterday that a third-grader at Tates Creek Elementary School has been diagnosed with hepatitis A.
The infected student is a sibling to a preschool student at Yates Elementary School who was diagnosed with the virus last month.
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department will administer free hepatitis A immunizations to children and school staff members in the affected classes from 3:30 to 7 p.m. today.

The newly diagnosed child brings the number of hepatitis cases in Fayette County to 14. One person who previously tested positive did not exhibit symptoms and was not infected.
A week ago, health department officials thought the spread of the disease had stopped.
“We expected to see a couple other cases as a result of the cases that were in mid-March,” said Rodger Amon, chief operating officer with the health department. “This person was an immediate family member, which again is kind of expected.”
Hepatitis A has an average incubation period of 28 days, but people can have the virus for as long as 50 days before they show symptoms.
Hepatitis A is spread by putting in the mouth something that is contaminated with the fecal matter of someone infected with the virus. Students should avoid sharing food or drinks and should wash their hands thoroughly.
Hepatitis A attacks the liver and causes aches, fever, abdominal pain, lost of appetite, diarrhea and jaundice. It differs from hepatitis B or C, which are transmitted through blood.
Health department officials inspected Tates Creek yesterday and advised teachers to disinfect affected areas of the school, Amon said.
“There’s no need to pull your child from school,” Amon said. “The likelihood of (the recently diagnosed child) communicating the virus is pretty minimal.”
Superintendent Stu Silberman said calls are being referred to a health department hotline.
“We’re following the directions of the health department,” Silberman said.
The hotline, (859) 288-7529, will be available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Sunday.