Several people living homeless in Washington have been diagnosed with hepatitis A. Large hepatitis A outbreaks are occurring in other areas of the country.  Most cases are among people living homeless and/or using drugs.  Pierce County currently does not have any cases.

What can you do?

• Share this flyer about hepatitis A with clients and put up this poster.
• Make sure your facility is cleaning to kill hepatitis A. See this guide in English or Spanish.
• If you work at the stability site, follow this health warning for encampment operators.
• 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 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.

We will be visiting all shelter providers next week to provide additional support.  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

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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