California's Democratic Governor Jerry Brown on Oct. 13 declared a state of emergency regarding an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak primarily affecting the homeless and illicit drug user populations in the counties of San Diego, Santa Cruz and Los Angeles.
The outbreak began in late 2016 in San Diego County and has since resulted in 581 infections and 18 deaths, according to the Los Angeles Times. The emergency proclamation allows officials with the California Department of Public Health to purchase additional vaccines directly from manufacturers to help curb the outbreak.
"Local public health officials are working hard to offer vaccines to people who are at the most risk of infection, including homeless Californians," said Karen Smith, MD, the director of the state health department. "Today's order will help ensure communities can continue to deliver the vaccines where they are needed most."
As of Oct. 13, health officials tallied 490 hepatitis A cases in San Diego County, 71 cases in Santa Cruz County, 13 cases in Los Angeles County and seven cases in other parts of the state, according to the LA Times.
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