The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as of Dec. 6 has tallied 583 cases of hepatitis A among residents in the southeast portion of the state since an outbreak of the virus began in August 2016.
Here are three things to know.
1. The outbreak has contributed to 482 hospitalizations and 20 deaths. The outbreak is unrelated but similar to California's ongoing hepatitis A outbreak, as it has primarily affected states' homeless and illicit-drug-using populations. The concurrent outbreaks in these states and others have hindered the national supply of the hepatitis A vaccine.
2. In a statement to the Detroit Free Press, the CDC said the hepatitis A strains found in Michigan, California and other states are uncommon in the U.S.
"While what is occurring in Michigan and San Diego, a large community wide outbreak, has not happened in the last 25 years (since the widespread use of vaccine), outbreaks of this nature have occurred historically," the CDC said.
3. Symptoms of hepatitis A include abdominal pain, low-grade fever, nausea, fatigue and jaundice. The virus is highly transmissible and most often spread via contact with fecal matter from an infected individual.
To learn more about hepatitis A, click here.
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