Public Health Experts To Discuss Hepatitis Outbreak
A nationally recognized expert in hepatitis A and the state’s chief epidemiologist will talk about the virus today at the Spokane Regional Health District.
“We’re hoping we can put Spokane in the national perspective,” Dr. Kim Thorburn, health officer for the district, said of the public meeting.
Spokane’s hepatitis A outbreak was thrust into the national spotlight last week when Thorburn recommended that all 410,000 county residents be vaccinated against the virus.
So far this year, at least 134 people have tested positive for the virus. That compares with 190 in all of last year.
Dr. Paul Stehr-Green, the state’s chief epidemiologist, questioned Thorburn’s recommendation that everyone be vaccinated. He said he didn’t think it would work to stem the hepatitis A outbreak.
Today, he’ll be at the health district to talk about the virus.
Dr. Frederick Shaw of Washington, D.C., will be featured speaker. Shaw’s trip is being paid for by Smith-Kline Beecham, one of two drug companies that manufactures the hepatitis A vaccine.
Shaw is a medical consultant for Smith-Kline and also consults for managed care companies, government agencies and food service companies such as Taco Bell.
He is editor of The Hepatitis Control Report, a nationally distributed newsletter on viral hepatitis control. He also edits The Yellow Book, a quarterly review of hepatitis A incidence in the country.
Shaw once served as a staff epidemiologist in the hepatitis branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
“He has a real interesting perspective on community-wide outbreaks,” Thorburn said.
Since Thorburn’s recommendation, more than 600 people have been vaccinated at the district. More than 10,000 people, including many food handlers, have been vaccinated against hepatitis A so far this year.
The vaccinations now cost a total of $52 for a two-shot dose for adults, and $42 for a two-shot dose for children. A new federal contract just decreased the county’s charge for adults by $32.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MEETING A meeting about hepatitis A is scheduled today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Spokane Regional Health District auditorium, 1101 W. College. Everyone is invited.