Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus is found in the stool (feces) of HAV-infected people. Hepatitis A can easily spread from one person to another by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A.  It is spread more easily when sanitary conditions are poor or good personal hygiene is not observed.

The Hepatitis A virus is spread:

  • when someone ingests anything that's contaminated with HAV-infected stool (this makes it easy for the virus to spread in overcrowded, unsanitary living conditions)
  • in water, milk and foods, especially in shellfish
  • through close person-to-person contact

Because hepatitis A can be a mild infection, particularly in children, it's possible for some people to be unaware that they have had the illness. Although medical tests show that about 40 percent of urban Americans have had hepatitis A, only about 5 percent recall being sick.

To learn more about hepatitis A, please visit these links:

Hepatitis A Outbreak in Louisiana (closed Oct. 2022)

CDC - Hepatitis A Vaccine Information

Louisiana Hepatitis A Public Information                                

Hepatitis A Summary  

CDC - Fact Sheets

Hepatitis A Annual Report - Louisiana

The Difference Between Hepatitis A, B and C

 

Primary Contact Information

Louisiana Hepatitis A Coordinator: Raychel Berkheimer, MPH

Address:
1450 Poydras Street, Ste. 1641
New Orleans, LA 70112
Telephone: (504) 568-8307
 Fax: (504) 568-8290
 Email: Raychel.Berkheimer@la.gov