LEXINGTON
April 20, 2006
More than two dozen students at Tates Creek High School have been exposed to Hepatitis A, and now the health department wants them to get checked out.
Officials with the health department have determined that 26 students, all freshmen, at the school tutored a third grade class at Tates Creek Elementary School where Hepatitis A was present. One of the children in the third grade class tested positive for Hepatitis A. The child was excluded from school as soon as test results were confirmed. On Monday, April 10, the student was in school and potentially contagious. The freshmen tutored the students in the third grade class that Monday.

Since late March, at least 14 people, including students from three different elementary schools, have been diagnosed with Hepatitis A in Fayette County.
A Hepatitis A vaccine clinic will be held at Tates Creek High on Friday from 1:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The freshman class and the teachers and aides of both the grade school students and the freshman class will be vaccinated as well. There is no cost to these individuals for the Hepatitis A vaccination.
There is no cost to these individuals for the Hepatitis A vaccination. Other students and family members can may receive a Hepatitis A vaccination during the vaccine clinic. The cost is $45 for an adult and $25 for children. Per the CDC guidelines, children up to 18 years of age will receive the pediatric vaccine.
Health department officials are working with Fayette County Public Schools administration this afternoon to prepare a letter for children to take home today.
The health department’s Hepatitis A Hotline will be staffed Thursday until 7 p.m. and will resume operation at 8 a.m. Friday morning. The number is 288-7529.