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Tallahassee, Florida - Today, Dr. Scott Rivkees, Florida's general surgeon, said he was not responsible. It has been stated that a public health emergency addresses the increase in the number of hepatitis A cases in Florida due to the current national epidemic. The statement is based on the public health opinion issued by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) following its publication. Icon18 November 2018 and reiterates the importance of vaccination against hepatitis A as the best way to prevent hepatitis A infection.
To inform the public, FDOH has launched a website dedicated to hepatitis A: FloridaHealth.gov/hepa. On this page, visitors can find general information, frequently asked questions, FDOH surveillance data, as well as fact sheets for the general public, health service providers and food service workers. For hepatitis A problems, the department has also created a dedicated email address, HepA@flhealth.gov, and an information line: 1-844-CALL-DOH (1- (844) 225-5364), available from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am at 5:00 p.m.
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"I declare this public health emergency as a proactive step to adequately alert the public about this critical illness and prevent the spread of hepatitis A in our state," said Dr. Scott Rivkees, a Florida Surgeon General. "The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to vaccinate. It is important to vaccinate as many high-risk people as possible to obtain collective immunity. I will continue to work with Governor DeSantis and Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. Take proactive measures to protect health. of Florida residents and visitors. "
As part of the public health emergency, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) will seek help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This statement points to healthcare providers the importance of screening and immunization for all people at high risk of getting hepatitis A. Although everyone can get hepatitis A, those considered by the CDC and FDOH as high risk include: experiencing homelessness; intravenous and non-intravenous drug users; men who have sex with other men; people in an emergency room or other acute care facility after receiving an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone; people who work with homeless people or injecting drug users outside health centers; and lifeguards.
The statement also recommends immunization of people at increased risk of serious complications of hepatitis A, including people with chronic liver disease, bleeding disorders and people over 60 with a serious underlying condition, as determined by your health care provider, in counties with critical impact.
In Florida, the most affected counties are: Brevard, Citrus, Glades, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Liberty, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Sumter, Taylor and Volusia. The number of hepatitis A cases for 2019 has already exceeded that of 2018. To date, 2,034 cases of hepatitis A have been reported from January 1, 2019 to July 27, 2019.
Through this public health emergency statement, the state general surgeon reminds all people to wash their hands well to prevent the spread of hepatitis A. All people should wash their hands with water. and soap for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom. change diapers and before preparing or eating food. In addition, the statement emphasized the importance of consistent sanitation practices for public and private facilities with bathrooms and showers. The Ministry of Health has created detailed infographics of sanitation practices designed to prevent the spread of hepatitis A. These additional infographics and resources are available at FloridaHealth.gov/hepa.
