March 28, 2006
Knight-Ridder Tribune
Barbara Isaacs, The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky.
A case of hepatitis A has been reported in a child in the morning session of Early Start at Yates Elementary School in Lexington.
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, which is investigating the case, said yesterday that there is no known connection between this case and three cases of hepatitis A confirmed at Mary Todd Elementary School last week.
The health department is recommending that children who have been in morning Early Start class at Yates during the past two weeks, and school staff who are in regular contact with them, get immune globulin shots and hepatitis A vaccinations. The shots will be given today at Yates from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The class includes 15 children ages 3 and 4; the class environment is similar to a day care or nursery school.
Health department staff also advise that children avoid sharing food and drinks and avoid putting objects in their mouths. They also should wash hands frequently with warm water and soap. Hepatitis A is caused by ingesting fecal matter; it is usually spread when people do not wash their hands properly, or by contaminated water or food.
School staff met with a health department environmental inspector, who explained how to properly disinfect common surfaces and items.
The Health Department is operating a hotline at 288-7529 to give parents more information. It will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. If a child or a family member develops symptoms of hepatitis A, including aches and pains, fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or yellow skin or eyes, they should report to their family doctor or call the health department hotline.
The health department also offered shots at Mary Todd Elementary School last week. A total of 93 immune globulin shots and 108 hepatitis A vaccines were given.