Cases of hepatitis A in Santa Clara County are associated both with international travel and with local transmission. Since 2016, outbreaks have occurred in California and other states among people experiencing homelessness and/or using drugs. Hepatitis A is spread from close personal contact with an infected person, and from consuming food or water that has been contaminated with the hepatitis A virus.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for the following groups:
- All children, starting at age 1;
- People traveling to countries that have high or intermediate levels of hepatitis A virus transmission
- People with unstable housing or experiencing homelessness;
- People who have a history of incarceration;
- Men who have sex with men;
- Users of injection and non-injection drugs;
- People who have chronic liver disease, including infection with hepatitis B or C;
- People with clotting-factor disorders;
- Household members and other close personal contacts of adoptees from countries where Hepatitis A is common;
- People with direct contact with people who have hepatitis A.
