Massachusetts state health officials announced on Tuesday that there is a surge in Hepatitis A cases among homeless individuals and those engaged in illicit drug use. Last month, six people were diagnosed with the highly contagious liver infection in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties around Boston, as well as in Hampden County in western Massachusetts.
While no fatalities were reported, some patients required hospitalization, with four of the six patients being men aged 36 and older. The state Public Health Department disclosed that these individuals had recent experiences of homelessness, unstable housing, injection drug use, or other drug use. Many had sought services at clinics, shelters, and substance use treatment facilities in the Boston area.
The state had previously faced a Hepatitis A outbreak in 2018, resulting in 563 cases and nine deaths. The health department emphasized that populations particularly vulnerable to the virus include those experiencing homelessness and individuals who inject drugs.
A comparable outbreak in San Diego in 2017 prompted a six-month health emergency, with 20 deaths and 592 cases. San Diego officials responded by installing hand-washing stations, a strategy now encouraged by Massachusetts health officials. Notably, hand sanitizer may not be effective against Hepatitis A, according to the health department.
These outbreaks are part of a national trend that began in 2016 and persists in a few states, including Indiana, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While some states declared the outbreak over by 2019, Massachusetts officials consider the recent cases part of a potential new wave.
Hepatitis A thrives in unsanitary conditions, and individuals at risk include men who have sex with men, those with chronic liver disease, heavy drinkers, and global travelers. The infection can compromise the liver, impairing the body’s ability to fight infections and toxins. Symptoms may appear two weeks to six months after exposure and can last for weeks or months, with rare cases leading to death.
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Vaccination is a crucial preventive measure, and the state health department advises vaccinating all high-risk individuals, including those experiencing homelessness, individuals who inject drugs, those with chronic liver disease, and men who have sex with men. The department emphasizes that vaccination can be effective even within two weeks of exposure.