CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. — There’s an outbreak of hepatitis A in Carroll County and now health officials are trying to keep it from getting worse. More than 40 people have tested positive for the disease.
Public health officials stood on the street in Carrollton Thursday making people aware of free hepatitis A vaccines to the public.
“Hepatitus A is a very serious disease and can be very hurtful liver disease very dangerous if not checked,” event organizer Alexandria Marbury told Channel 2′s Lauren Adams.
Krystal Low received a notification about free Hepatitis A vaccination and didn’t want to pass up the opportunity. She is one of several people who showed up to get a free vaccination.
“I’m in drug court and I use to not take good care of myself and I seen the flyer and the mail and said I might as well take good care of myself,” Low said.
Between April and November, 46 Hepatitis A cases have occurred in Carroll County. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia is one of 29 states experiencing an outbreak of the highly contagious liver infection.
Ronald Pilgrim also decided he’d stop by for a free vaccine and HIV rapid response test.
“To keep you from being sick and being aware of things. and being precautious,” Pilgrim said. “I always told them it’s better being safe than being sorry.”
Public health officials reached out to encourage IV drug users, people who have been incarcerated and restaurant workers to get vaccinated.
“We’re trying to draw everyone in. We want everyone who thinks they might have been in contact with someone to come get vaccinated and tested if you haven’t been already,” Marbury said.
Anyone who missed Thursday’s event can go by the Carroll County Health Department from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Source: wsbtv
