August 9, 2006
Journal Pioneer (Summerside)
CP
Three more people have been diagnosed with hepatitis A following an
outbreak in a community outside of 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 says 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.