Hepatitis A virus warning

The Lake County Health Department is informing the public there has been a recent increase in reported cases of hepatitis A virus in the state and in Lake County. Since January 2018, the Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed 110 cases and has identified 35 cases to be part of a statewide outbreak. "We encourage any resident who is exhibiting symptoms of HAV to seek medical attention immediately," said Dr. Sana Ahmed, of the Lake County Health Department. HAV is a highly contagious and vaccine-preventable infection. Symptoms include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal and joint pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes).