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Clinical Recognition and Management of Hepatitis A: Mitigating Outbreaks Among At-Risk Populations in Los Angeles County

This enduring material has been approved for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Original release date: November 20, 2019.   Termination date: November 19, 2027.

Continuing Medical Education Credit(s)

To obtain a CME Certificate (physicians only) or a Certificate of Attendance (other learners), read the article and click here.

Article Summary

Since April 2024, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has been responding to an outbreak of hepatitis A among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and people who use illicit drugs (PWUD). This represents the largest local increase in community transmission of hepatitis A since the 2017-2018 outbreak among PEH and PWUD.

This article summarizes the current outbreak and reviews actions clinicians can take to improve the recognition, reporting, management, and prevention of hepatitis A.

Target Audience

The target audience is physicians and other health care providers practicing in Los Angeles County.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the article, the learner will feel more confident in their ability to:

1. Discuss the current outbreak of hepatitis A in LA County.
2. Recognize and initially manage hepatitis A in persons in people experiencing homelessness.
3. Interpret hepatitis A virus serologies.
4. Provide appropriate post exposure prophylaxis to contacts.
5. Summarize the groups recommended to receive hepatitis A vaccines.
6. Report acute hepatitis A to Public Health.

Authors

Prabhu Gounder, MD, MPH, FACP  - Medical Epidemiologist
Sharon Balter, MD  - Director
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Acute Communicable Disease Control Program

Accreditation Statement

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is accredited by the California Medical Association (CMA) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other learners receive a Certificate of Attendance. Participation in CE coursework designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ is considered acceptable CE by the CA Board of Registered Nursing and the CA Board of Pharmacy if the coursework pertains to the practice of nursing or pharmacy respectively. Please contact your board with questions.

Disclosure

No relevant financial relationships were disclosed by the authors or the planners.

This activity is offered by an accredited CMA-CME provider and is not commercially supported.

Contact Information

If you have questions, please contact the Acute Communicable Disease Control Program at acdc2@ph.lacounty.gov or 213-240-7941.