Butler County Health Department officials have seen a recent increase in the number of reported Hepatitis A cases in Butler County over the last couple of months, which could indicate an outbreak coming within the area.
"There are less than 10 reported cases at this time," Butler County Health Department Communicable Disease Nurse Whitney Preslar said. "Our concern is public health and we want to stop this before it becomes a major health problem."
During her six years at the county health department, Preslar said the first Hepatitis A case she saw was reported at the end of September.
After a lull, Preslar said within three days last week, the health department experienced an increase in cases.
During investigations to determine where the virus was originating, Preslar said reported drug use was a common factor, specifically meth users.
"We have no reason to believe it (Hepatitis A) is in the food industry," Preslar said.
Hepatitis A is transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route when an uninfected person ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person.
Preslar believes the transfer in the area is coming from a drug supplier who has not properly washed their hands. Therefore, fecal matter is being passed into the drug substance they are preparing or packaging, resulting in the increase spread of the virus.
"The best way to protect yourself is good old hand washing," Preslar said.
Proper hand washing not only prevents the spread of Hepatitis A, but also cold and flu viruses, which are in season at this time.
"We would like to remind the community that proper hand washing decreases the susceptibility of spreading disease, especially with the holiday season approaching and food preparation at its highest," Preslar said.
The Butler County Health Department is working with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to facilitate a clinic to immunize those individuals who are at risk.
Hepatitis A symptoms, Preslar said, can mimic a stomach bug and include prolonged abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever followed by jaundice and dark colored urine.
The virus has a two to six week incubation period, meaning it can take up to six weeks to start showing signs and symptoms after being exposed.
The end of the incubation period is approaching for the first Hepatitis A case reported in September. There will then be a second incubation period for those who may have been exposed by the reported cases.
Preslar reminds the community a person can only spread the disease if they show symptoms and not during the entire incubation period.
If someone is in close contact with a person who has the virus, Preslar recommends they get the Hepatitis A vaccine, which is two parts, and can be administered at the Butler County Health Department.
"If you have received the vaccine, you are at a lot less risk for the illness," Preslar said.