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Hep A rising in Erie Co.

Posted at 11:23 PM, Oct 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-01 23:23:29-04

In an announcement on Monday, the Erie County Department of Health announced that Hepatitis A is on the rise in Erie County. 

"So far in 2018, so through September, not even a full year, there have been 20 cases of Hepatitis A infections" Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Health Commissioner said. 

Between 2015 and 2017 each year averaged between two and four Hep A cases per year. That means that 2018 already has a 400% increase over those years. 

"So there's something going on in the community," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, "We don't know why, but there seems to be a spread in 2018."

According to the County, they believe the outbreaks are not done.

"We also believe that these 20 cases are just the tip of the iceberg" Dr. Burstein said. 

To try and slow this spread, the County is asking anyone who has not yet, to get the Hep A vaccine immediately. 

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