HEPATITIS OUTBREAK CONTAINED

Since an outbreak of hepatitis A in Bollinger County that peaked at eight confirmed cases in early November, more than 120 people who were exposed to the viral disease have been given immune globulin to help keep them from contracting the illness.

According to county health officials, immune globulin was given to 88 people in Bollinger County, 28 in Cape Girardeau County and seven in St. Francois County."To the best of my knowledge, we've treated everyone who was exposed in this outbreak," said Beth Leadbetter, county health nurse in Bollinger County.

Immune globulin boosts a person's immune system to better fight viral diseases like hepatitis, said Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department. It must be given within two weeks of exposure and there is a chance a person who receives this immune system booster could still come down with hepatitis, Craig said. But she added, she's never seen immune globulin not work.

Still, those who receive it are told of the signs and symptoms of hepatitis A so they can be on the alert.

There has been an increase in requests for the hepatitis A vaccine at health departments in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry and Scott counties.

Craig said the Cape Girardeau Health Department has given at least 10 of the vaccines to people worried about the Bollinger County outbreak.

Leadbetter said the Bollinger County Health Department has had so many requests for the vaccine it is considering having a clinic.

The vaccine is not supplied by the state, so health departments must charge for it. In Cape Girardeau, the cost is $25 per dose for adults and $20 for those under 19 . Two doses are required six months apart. The health department in Cape Girardeau keeps the vaccine in stock. Those in Bollinger, Perry and Scott counties must order the vaccine for people who are interested.

Leadbetter said no cases in the Bollinger County outbreak have been associated with a restaurant. Still a major concern with hepatitis A is to keep it out of restaurants and schools because of the way it is spread. Hepatitis A is highly contagious and is spread through the fecal-oral route, according to the Missouri Department of Health. Hepatitis A is usually spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person who has the disease. If hands are not washed thoroughly after using the toilet, the virus can be carried on the infected person's hands and spread by direct contact or by eating or drinking foods or beverages that were handled by the infected individual.

Craig said the Cape Girardeau County Health Department holds a monthly food school to educate restaurant employees on safe and sanitary food handling and preparation techniques. Health departments in neighboring counties also work to educate food handlers.