SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Santa Cruz County health officials are offering vaccination clinics following a an outbreak of new Hepatitis A virus reported countywide. Other counties across the state, including San Diego County, are also experiencing an increase of Hepatitis A cases.

"We are partnering with the community to ensure the people most at risk, particularly the homeless, have access to the hepatitis A vaccine," said Arnold S. Leff, MD, Santa Cruz County Public Health Officer. "We've increased our outreach to vulnerable populations and have worked to make information available. We are strongly encouraging people who are at risk to check with their health care providers and get vaccinated for hepatitis A."

Hepatitis A can be spread through contaminated food, water or by having sexual contact or sharing drugs with someone who is infected.