Public health officials and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are continuing to see an elevated number of hepatitis A cases in Southeast Michigan.
Since the beginning of the outbreak in August 2016, public health response has included increased healthcare awareness efforts, public notification and education, and outreach with vaccination clinics for high-risk populations.No common sources of food, beverages, or drugs have been identified as a potential source of infection. Transmission appears to be through direct person-to-person spread and illicit drug use. Those with history of injection and non-injection drug use, homelessness or transient housing, and incarceration are thought to be at greater risk in this outbreak setting. Notably, this outbreak has had a high hospitalization rate.
Southeast Michigan Hepatitis A Outbreak Cases and Deaths as of November 7, 2017*
*Table will be updated weekly by 4:00pm each Friday
| Cases | Hospitalizations | Deaths |
| 495 | 416 (84.0%) | 19 (3.8%) |
Please note: Table does not include all reported hepatitis A cases in the SE MI outbreak region; only those cases that are identified as outbreak-related. More descriptive data on the current outbreak can be found within the Comprehensive Summary. Data are provisional and subject to change.
| Confirmed Cases Referred August 1, 2016-November 7, 2017 Meeting the SE MI Hepatitis A Outbreak Case Definition |
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| County (or city) | Total Cases | County (or city) | Total Cases | |
| Macomb | 162 | Sanilac | 4 | |
| City of Detroit | 123 | Lapeer | 3 | |
| Wayne | 80 | Calhoun | 1 | |
| Oakland | 78 | Clare | 1 | |
| St. Clair | 17 | Genesee | 1 | |
| Washtenaw | 7 | Hillsdale | 1 | |
| Monroe | 6 | Huron | 1 | |
| Ingham | 4 | Isabella | 1 | |
| Livingston | 4 | Other* | 1 | |
| *Michigan Department of Corrections | ||||
Hepatitis A is a serious, highly contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the feces (poop) of people with hepatitis A. You can get hepatitis A by eating contaminated food or water, during sex, or just by living with an infected person. Illness can appear 15-50 days after exposure and you can be sick for several weeks. In some cases, people can die. Although not all people infected with hepatitis A experience illness, symptoms can include:
- nausea and vomiting
- belly pain
- feeling tired
- fever
- loss of appetite
- yellowing of the skin and eyes
- dark urine
- pale-colored feces (poop)
- joint pain
There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of Hepatitis A transmission. Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable illness. While the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended as a part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule, most adults have not been vaccinated and may be susceptible to the hepatitis A virus. The best way to reduce the risk of getting hepatitis A is to get vaccinated with two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine. It is also recommended to wash your hands after going to the bathroom and before preparing meals for yourself and others. Use your own towels, toothbrushes, and eating utensils. Do not have sex with someone who has HAV infection or share food, drinks, or smokes with other people.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A
- Wash hands after using the restroom and before eating or preparing meals for yourself or others
- Use your own towels, toothbrushes, and eating utensils
- Do not have sex with someone who has HAV infection
- Do not share food, drinks, drugs, or smokes with other people
- If you think you may have hepatitis A, see your medical provider
- If you have hepatitis A, please cooperate with your local public health to help protect others
Hepatitis A can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. Stop the spread of this infection.
- Persons who are homeless.
- Persons who are incarcerated.
- Persons who use injection and non-injection illegal drugs.
- Persons who work with the high risk populations listed above.
- Persons who have close contact, care for, or live with someone who has HAV.
- Persons who have sexual activities with someone who has HAV.
- Men who have sex with men.
- Travelers to countries with high or medium rates of HAV.
- Persons with chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.*
- Persons with clotting factor disorders.
- Any person who is concerned about HAV exposure and wants to be immune.
*Note: individuals with chronic liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis and hepatitis C) may not be at increased risk of getting HAV infections but are at increased risk of having poor outcomes if they are infected with HAV.
If you (or someone you know) do not have health insurance, you will likely qualify for free or low cost vaccines. Talk with your local health department to find out if you qualify.
| Detroit Health Department Phone: 313-876-4000 |
Oakland County Health Division Phone: 1-800-848-5533 or Email: noc@oakgov.com |
| Huron County Health Department Phone: 989-269-9721 |
St. Clair County Health Department Phone: 810-987-5300 |
| Lapeer County Health Department Phone: 810-667-0448 |
Sanilac County Health Department Phone: 810-648-4098 |
| Livingston County Health Department Phone: 517-546-9850 |
Washtenaw County Public Health Phone: 734-544-6700 |
| Macomb County Health Department Phone: 586-469-5372 |
Wayne County Department of Health, Veterans & Community Wellness Phone: 734-727-7078 |
| Monroe County Health Department Phone: 734-240-7800 |
For additional local health department information, contact the MDHHS Division of Immunization.
Phone: 517-335-8159