Hepatitis outbreak grows

Health Department secures vaccine; now seven cases confirmed

An outbreak of Hepatitis C has surfaced in Lincoln County, according to Marci Johnson, communicable diseases coordinator of Lincoln County.

“We’re still investigating it, but right now we’ve got seven confirmed cases,” Johnson said Sunday afternoon. “I’ve been in contact with the state, and they have agreed to supply us with the vaccines for Hepatitis A and B at no charge.”

The outbreak comes as the Lincoln County Commission has scheduled to close the local Health Department office on Friday, Dec. 30, for budget cuts.

HCV (Hepatitis C) is a viral infection that is spread when the blood of an infected person enters the blood of a non-infected person. Approximately 75 percent of those who contact the virus will develop a chronic infection that can result in long-term health problems including liver damage, liver cancer, and possibly death.

According to the CDC, approximately 8,000-10,000 people die every year from HCV-related liver disease. Those with HCV should be monitored regularly by their health-care provider and evaluated for treatment. However, not everyone with HCV will benefit from treatment. Vaccination against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B is recommended to help protect a person’s liver.

Asked about the spread of the local infections, Johnson said she is concerned about persons trying drugs for the first time.

“We’re concerned about young people caught in the moment. Those are the ones we want to have checked,” Johnson said. “The longtime users know the risks.”

Johnson said she also is working with the Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency Center in Libby to assist intravenous drug users.

The Libby Health Department office was scheduled to receive the vaccines Tuesday. Vaccine times will be scheduled later, Johnson said.

“Right now, I just want people to call the Libby Health Department to set up an appointment,” Johnson said. “The county has agreed to keep me on for awhile. There’s just no way Mickey (new County Nurse Carvey) can handle this working just two days (a week) in Eureka.”

Johnson said she planned to put flyers in area bars recommending people who may be users call her office to make an appointment to be checked.

Prior to 1992, when screening and testing became widespread in the U.S., HCV was spread through blood transfusions or organ transplants. Today, most people become infected by sharing needles while injecting drugs. Even those that do not share needles but do share related paraphernalia or “fixings” can and do contact the disease.

Sharing is also a common means of transmitting HIV and other diseases. The risk of transmission of HCV through sexual contact is believed to be low; however the risk increases for those who have multiple partners or sexually transmitted disease.

Johnson recommended people who have injected drugs in the past or are doing so currently that they be tested.

Persons are urged to talk to their health-care provider.

The Hepatitis screenings will be offered at no cost, and all inquiries and testing are strictly confidential.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, contact Johnson at 293-4121.