A person living homeless in Pierce County has been diagnosed with hepatitis A.

The person spent time and accessed services in Puyallup, Fife and Seattle. People exposed to this person could start showing hepatitis A symptoms at any time.

On July 30, 2019, Washington State Department of Health declared an outbreak in multiple counties of hepatitis A in people living homeless or using drugs. As of Jan. 3, 2020, they have received reports of 154 cases throughout the state, resulting in 86 hospitalizations and 3 deaths.

What can you do?

• Share this flyer about hepatitis A with clients and put up this poster (get other languages on our website).
• Make sure your facility is cleaning to kill hepatitis A.
• Encourage your clients to get vaccinated for hepatitis A.
• Help clients check their vaccination records for free online at myIR.net.
• Refer your clients to their healthcare provider or a community health center to get vaccinated. If your client has no insurance, refer them to Sea Mar on 11^th street or to these free or low-cost immunization sites.
• If a client shows symptoms of hepatitis A send them to see a healthcare provider.  If your client refuses medical care call the Health Department at (253) 798-6410.  We can send someone out to see them. 

Why is this important?

Hepatitis A can quickly spread from person to person in crowded conditions and places without sanitary facilities, like where people may live homeless.  Hepatitis A causes higher rates of hospitalizations and deaths in people living homeless. Read this flyer to learn more about hepatitis.

If you have questions or suggestions, please contact me or the Communicable Disease general line at (353) 798-6410.

Thanks for all your do to help people in our community.

Emily Less, MPH

Pronouns: She/Her

Public Health Consultant

Communicable Disease

(253) 625-1362 c • eless@tpchd.org

(253) 798-7666 f • www.tpchd.org

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