Current Situation
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health declared a communitywide outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections in Los Angeles residents in May 2025. The infection is caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is found in the stool of those who are infected. HAV is contagious through the fecal-oral route and spreads through close person-to-person contact and eating contaminated food or drink. Historically unhoused individuals have been at higher risk for contracting hepatitis A infection because of limited access to handwashing and toileting facilities. Most hepatitis A infections in 2025, however, have been among people without risk factors such as travel or being unhoused. Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection. Public Health recommends that LA County residents take the following actions to help prevent the spread of disease:
- Check if you have been vaccinated for hepatitis A. If you haven’t, contact your medical provider to get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A and should be a covered benefit under most health insurance plans.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before eating and preparing food and after using the bathroom.
More Information
Communications
Data
Resources
Confirmed Hepatitis A Cases1See footnote 1 Among Los Angeles County Residents, by Month and Travel Association, January 1, 2024 – Present2See footnote 2 (N=184)

Demographic Characteristics of Los Angeles County Residents with Non-Travel Associated1See footnote 1 Hepatitis A Virus Infection2See footnote 2, January 1, 2024 – Present 3See footnote 3
Total | ||
---|---|---|
Count | Percent | |
Total | 142 | -- |
Year of Episode Date Refer to Footnote 44 | ||
2024 | 104 | 73% |
2025 | 38 | 27% |
Outcomes Refer to Footnote 55 | ||
Hospitalized | 35 | 25% |
Deaths | 7 | 5% |
Risk Factors | ||
Experiencing or history of homelessness Refer to Footnote 6,76,7 | 22 | 15% |
Uses drugs Refer to Footnote 7,87,8 | 9 | 6% |
Experiencing or history of homelessness Refer to Footnote 66 and uses drugs Refer to Footnote 88 | 25 | 18% |
None Refer to Footnote 99 | 76 | 54% |
Not interviewed Refer to Footnote 1010 | 10 | 7% |
Gender Identity | ||
Male | 102 | 72% |
Female | 40 | 28% |
Other Gender Identity Refer to Footnote 1111 | 0 | 0% |
Prefer Not to State/Unknown | 0 | 0% |
Age Group | ||
≤44 years | 55 | 39% |
45-64 years | 64 | 45% |
≥65 years | 23 | 16% |
Unknown | 0 | 0% |
Race and Ethnicity | ||
Asian (non-Hispanic/Latino) | 7 | 5% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic/Latino) | 26 | 18% |
Hispanic/Latino | 37 | 26% |
White (non-Hispanic/Latino) | 66 | 46% |
Other Race or Ethnicity Refer to Footnote 1212 | 6 | 4% |
Unknown | 0 | 0% |
Service Planning Area Refer to Footnote 1313 | ||
1 - Antelope Valley | 0 | 0% |
2 - San Fernando Valley | 10 | 7% |
3 - San Gabriel Valley | 8 | 6% |
4 - Metro Los Angeles | 46 | 32% |
5 - West Los Angeles | 24 | 17% |
6 - South Los Angeles | 28 | 20% |
7 - East Los Angeles | 13 | 9% |
8 - South Bay | 12 | 8% |
Unknown | 1 | 1% |