Seattle nonprofit helps to vaccinate homeless amid state hepatitis A 'outbreak'
The Washington State Department of Health declared an outbreak of hepatitis A in multiple counties Tuesday, including King County.
The people affected are primarily those who are homeless or use drugs, according to the health department.
There are currently 13 confirmed cases, with two in King County, nine in Spokane County, one in Snohomish County, and one in Pend Oreille County.
This outbreak comes just two weeks after King County Executive Dow Constantine allocated $375,000 to expand free hepatitis A vaccinations for the homeless.
The health department said anyone who is not vaccinated can get hepatitis A, but people who are homeless or using drugs are at a higher risk, especially if they do not have access to restroom facilities and hand-washing stations.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/seattle-nonprofit-helps-to-vaccinate-homeless-amid-state-hepatitis-a-outbreak/ar-AAF5FXS