BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A confirmed case of Hepatitis A in a Stoddard County school was quickly addressed in recent days by the county's Public Health Center in Bloomfield, with officials implementing control measures that included educating parents and students and working closely with the school to disinfect all suspected contaminated surfaces. "The Health Center provided notification to the local medical providers and pharmacies, alerting them as to the increase in cases of Hepatitis A in the southeast district," explains Stoddard County Public Health Program Director Amy Hector BSN, RN. "There was a vaccination clinic held at the school involved, and Hepatitis A vaccinations were offered to those interested."The problem, however, is much bigger than that one case in a county school.Hector reports that as of the end of March 2018, over 100 cases of Hepatitis A have been confirmed across Missouri since the outbreak began in September 2017. "Eighty-five of those cases," Hector notes, "have been identified as being part of the cluster in the southeast district that has been associated with illegal drug use or contact with someone who has used drugs, but we are seeing spillover into the schools, the food service industry and the general population."Until the general public takes advantage of obtaining available vaccinations, Hector suspects the outbreak will continue to spread. "Stoddard County has had 12 cases of Hepatitis A since our first recent case in December 2017 was identified," she notes. "To put that in perspective, prior to the December finding, our most recent case of Hepatitis A in the county was in July 2003."Prior to September 2017, there had been a total of 83 Hep A cases confirmed in Missouri over a five-year period. Jail population and Hepatitis AOne confirmed case of Hepatitis A at the Stoddard County Jail prompted the county's Health Center to offer vaccinations to the jail population and to include staff members in that offer. Noting the high prevalence of drug use among the typical jail population, Hector says a plan was put into action immediately, and 40 inmates and staff members were vaccinated in one recent visit to the county jail."The CDC is offering funding for drug and rehab centers, meth clinics and jail settings," Hector explains. "Of those, Stoddard County has only the jail setting, and so that was our immediate focus."Effectiveness of Vaccine"A vaccine is recommended by the CDC for all children ages one through 18," Hector explains. "I would encourage all parents to check their child's shot record and verify that they have had two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine. If they have not received the vaccine and they have medical insurance that will cover the cost, they should see their doctor for the vaccination or go to the Walgreens or WalMart Pharmacy. Both offer the vaccination to all children ages 12 and above.""If a child is uninsured or has Medicaid, the parents or guardian may bring them to the Health Center for the vaccination. The best way to prevent cases of Hepatitis A is through vaccination prior to exposure and good handwashing."The first of two recommended vaccines, Hector says, is about 90 percent effective against Hepatitis A in adults and nearly 100 percent effective in children. The second of the two vaccinations provides lifelong immunity.Vaccinations availableVaccination is key, Hector says, and the Health Center has scheduled clinics in county schools, but the general public has access to the Hepatitis A vaccine on a walk-in basis at the center located on Highway 25 just north of Bloomfield.Because of the rash of confirmed Hep A cases, the free vaccine, which comes from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is not as readily available as it would normally be. Still, the local Health Center does have supplies available.For additional information from the Stoddard County Health Center, call 573-568-4593.