Hepatitis A outbreak threatens northern Manitoba communities
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The provincial government is expanding access to hepatitis A vaccinations, amid an outbreak of the virus in northern Manitoba.
Free vaccines are being offered to people living in the Island Lake area — including community members from the Garden Hill, St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack and Red Sucker Lake First Nations.
The vaccine eligibility includes anybody who lives in the region or is travelling to work there, and people who might have household visitors from those communities. People aged six months and older can safely take the vaccine, the province said in a news release Tuesday.
Hepatitis A is a serious liver infection which can include symptoms of fever, nausea, vomiting and jaundice. While the infection can be minor in some cases, people with weakened immune systems or chronic diseases can experience symptoms for months.
The province had tracked 215 cases of hepatitis A infections associated with the ongoing outbreak as of Dec. 11. It said the overall risk to the general public is low.