- Hepatitis A is a contagious virus that can be contracted by ingesting contaminated food and drink.
- Getting vaccinated and regularly washing your hands are among the ways residents can better protect themselves.
Los Angeles County has declared a communitywide outbreak of hepatitis A, a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to lasting liver damage or even death.
Although cases of hepatitis A are nothing new in the region, health officials are expressing alarm at the prevalence of the disease and who is becoming infected.
Last year’s total of 136 confirmed cases was the highest in the county in at least a decade, officials say, and more than double the number seen in 2023. Case counts have continued to climb throughout the early part of this year.