LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: hepatitis A

  • Public Advised Not to Enter Little Miami River South of Old 3C Highway Until Further Notice

    Public Advised Not to Enter Little Miami River South of Old 3C Highway Until Further Notice

    Loveland, Ohio – The Warren County Health District has been notified of a breach in a sewer main by the Warren County Water & Sewer Department and the Ohio Environmental Health Association in the area of Socialville-Foster Road and Old 3C Highway.

    Loveland is downstream of where the raw sewage is entering the Little Miami River.

    As a precautionary measure, the Warren County Health District is advising citizens not to enter or fish in the Little Miami River south of Old 3C Highway in Warren County until the sewer breach has been repaired. The Warren County Health District will be conducting testing of the Little Miami River to identify potential increases in bacteria.

    There are increased health risks associated with coming into contact with wastewater. Parasites, viruses, and bacteria can cause a range of conditions including; diarrhea, dysentery, gastroenteritis and hepatitis A.

    To prevent the spread of disease the Warren County Health District is advising the public not to enter the water until the breach has been corrected.

    Swallowing a small amount of contaminated wastewater or having contaminated wastewater come in contact with an open wound, may make you sick.

    The symptoms can range from mild to severe. If you have diarrhea, the most important thing you can do is to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. This is especially important for young children, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems (such as those living with HIV/AIDS, those who have received an organ transplant, or those receiving certain types of chemotherapy).

    Seek medical care immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

    •   your diarrhea is bloody or diarrhea isn’t improving after 3 days
    •   your diarrhea is accompanied by fever or chills
    •   you are dehydrated (signs of dehydration include: dry or “cottony” mouth, cracked lips, dry

    flushed skin, headache, irritability, not urinating at least four times a day, no tears when crying, not sweating, or confusion)

     

    A health care provider may prescribe medicine to help replace the fluids your body has lost because of the diarrhea. In some cases, over-the-counter medications can slow the diarrhea.

    The Warren County Health District will notify the public with additional information as needed. The public will be updated when the precautionary measures are lifted via media release.

  • Milford IHOP employee diagnosed with hepatitis A

    Milford IHOP employee diagnosed with hepatitis A

    Milford, Ohio – Clermont County Public Health has identified a case of hepatitis A in an employee at the IHOP restaurant at 5699 Romar Drive in Milford.

    According to the Clermont County Board of Health the risk to patrons is extremely low. However, as a precaution they are asking anyone who has eaten at IHOP from December 25 – December 31 to monitor for symptoms of the virus for up to 50 days.

    Symptoms of hepatitis A include:

    • Fatigue
    • Low appetite
    • Stomach pain
    • Nausea
    • Clay-colored stools
    • Jaundice (yellowish color to the skin and eyes)

    The disease, which affects the liver, can be spread through eating or drinking contaminated food. Food can get contaminated if a person who has the virus does not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom and before preparing or touching food.

    “The restaurant management has been very cooperative and we are working with them to review safe food handling techniques,” said Assistant Health Commissioner Tim Kelly.

    A vaccine can protect you from getting sick if received within two weeks of contact with the virus. Patrons should contact their health care provider if they have questions or concerns.

    “Though it is possible to spread hepatitis A through contaminated food, the risk is extremely low,” said Kelly. “The majority of cases we are seeing during this outbreak are from other risk factors.”

    The Ohio Department of Health declared a statewide outbreak of hepatitis A in June. So far, there have been 1,370 cases statewide and 42 cases in Clermont County that are linked to this outbreak.

    People at the highest risk of hepatitis A during this outbreak include:

    • People with direct contact with anyone who has the virus
    • People who use illegal drugs
    • People who are homeless
    • People who have traveled to other areas of the U.S. that are currently experiencing an outbreak
    • People who have been incarcerated
    • Men who have sex with men

    In addition to getting a vaccine, the best way to protect yourself from hepatitis A is to wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before eating.

    Illness from hepatitis A can range from a mild case that lasts a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months.

    For more information on hepatitis A, click here.

    Bethel McDonald’s employee diagnosed with hepatitis A

     

    Felicity IGA employee diagnosed with hepatitis A
  • Cases of hepatitis A increasing in Clermont County

    Cases of hepatitis A increasing in Clermont County

    Clermont County is experiencing an increase in cases of hepatitis A. The Ohio Department of Health declared a statewide outbreak of the illness in June. To date, there have been 225 cases reported in Ohio.

    Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver. It can be spread from person to person, or by eating or drinking food that is contaminated with the virus. Food can become contaminated with the virus when a person doesn’t wash their hands after using the bathroom and then prepares or touches food. Spread of the illness in the current outbreak is primarily occurring from person to person in high-risk groups.

    People at higher risk for getting sick from Hepatitis A during this outbreak include:

    • People who have direct contact with someone infected with the virus
    • Men who have sex with men
    • People who use street drugs, whether they are injected or not
    • People who are incarcerated
    • People experiencing homelessness
    • People who have traveled to areas outside of the U.S. currently experiencing outbreaks

    Symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowish color to the skin and eyes).

    Clermont County Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit

    “We are working with at-risk populations to help prevent even more people from getting sick,” said Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit. “Whether you are considered to be at high risk or not, anyone can get hepatitis A. So we encourage everyone to get vaccinated and wash your hands.”