The Louisiana Department of Health declared a hepatitis A outbreak for the state Dec. 18, with 24 known cases, according to The News-Star.
Frank Welch, MD, immunization director for the Louisiana Department of Health, said Louisiana is ending 2018 with more cases than usual. The state typically only sees 15 to 20 cases per year, Dr. Welch said.
By declaring the cases to be an outbreak, the department wants to raise public awareness about the disease and persuade those at risk for hepatitis A to get vaccinated.