Hepatitis A

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 wit​h unstable housing or experiencing homelessness;
• People who have a history of incarceration;
• Men who have sex with men​;
• People who use 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.